Old Newaygo Dairy Herd Improvement Association records

Collection

Identifier: UA-28.9

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

The collection includes herd records, progress reports, printed materials, and letters relating to the Old Newaygo Dairy Herd Improvement Association (D.H.I.A.) of Fremont, Newaygo County, Michigan.

Several samples are included of early cow and herd records (1905-1913). Also included is a bulletin from the Dairy and Food Department (1907) describing cow-testing in Denmark, and the start of cow-testing in the United States.

Other items include a state D.H.I.A. records; a list of the original members; an article on cow-testing in Denmark by E. L. Anthony, later Dean of Agriculture at Michigan State College (now Michigan State University); and a letter to A. C. Baltzer, of Michigan Agricultural College (now Michigan State University), from Rabild, telling in detail the history of the organizing of the Old Newaygo Cow-Testing Association.

Dates

Creation: 1905 - 1955

Creator

Old Newaygo Dairy Herd Improvement Association (Organization)

Conditions Governing Access

Collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

Permission to publish material from this collection must be obtained from University Archives & Historical Collections, Michigan State University.

Historical Note

This association, organized in September 1905 by Helmar Rabild and Henry Rozema, was the first of its kind in the United States.

Rabild, employed by the Dairy and Food Department of the State of Michigan as an inspector, had witnessed the success of cow-testing associations in his native Denmark as a boy. Upon observing the problems of Michigan dairy farmers, he persuaded his superior to let him try to organize such an association. Accordingly, he and Rozema distributed handbills (a plastic-encased example is included).

The initial organization attracted thirty-one members; a cow-tester was imported from Denmark, and record-keeping began in December 1905.

Extent

0.5 Cubic Feet (15 folders)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Custodial History

Gift of Lawrence A. Johnson, 1966-01-07.

Legal Status

Donor(s) have transferred any applicable copyright to Michigan State University but the collection may contain third-party materials for which copyright was not transferred. Copyright restrictions may apply. Property Rights: Michigan State University.