Looking Back: Sni-A-Bar Farms Demonstration

by Marcia Napier Grain Valley Historical Society

From the beginning in 1913, William Rockhill Nelson was seeking to demonstrate what could be done to improve native cattle by using good purebred bulls. The project was put into operation before the economic losses of the depression following World War I which created a gradual deterioration of Corn Belt livestock.

For agricultural colleges seeking to find a remedy for these financial conditions, improvement of livestock standards was one of the first things urged. In Sni- A-Bar Farms they found a living example of the ideas they sought to teach; in the results of the breeding were detailed figures on the value of a purebred sire in a grade herd, data illustrated with the most potent argument that could be used, the dollars and cents profit.

The Demonstration Days began at Sni -A-Bar in 1918 and the lessons taught were so striking that within 10 years the farm had become world famous. It was visited by students and teachers from all over the globe; the government of Canada studied its management with the idea of starting a similar program in the Dominion; and the better sired campaign spread to other states. The name Sni-A-Bar Farms became familiar to those persons interested in livestock improvement.

The demonstrations, which began with 200 foundation cows, their farmerbred calves, and the first, second and third crosses made with purebred bulls provided a graphic picture of improvement. The first cross showed a broadening of the back, widening of the rump, thickening of the flesh, shortening of legs and neck and a general betterment in quality. Further crosses intensified the progress of these characteristics in uniformity, type and color.

The grade cattle barns at Sni-A-Bar were built on U.S. Highway 40 (Eagles’ Parkway) close to the present-day location of Grain Valley High School. For the demonstration, tents were put up and pens were built to the east of the barns and extending to Buckner Tarsney Road.

To understand the scope of a Demonstration Day at the farm, here is a brief summary of the information in Circular 74 published by the USDA in 1926.

Approaching the farm by motor car we observed, half a mile away, a scene not unlike a county fair. In a 40-acre field is a large tent where cools are preparing the noonday luncheon.

Parking our car along with more than 2,000 others, we proceeded to the cattle pens. There are 13 good sized enclosures in which we see the results of the demonstration almost at a glance. In each pen are typical representatives of larger numbers in the farm pastures. Pen 1- the bulls in service Pen 2 -10 red cows, typical of the 200 original cows

Pen 3 -10 cows, daughter of the first cross from foundation cows and purebred sires

Pen 4- 10 second-cross cows, 5-7 years old that would do credit to any farm Pen 5-7 cows of the third cross Pen 6-10 first cross heifers, heavy with calf or first calf at side

Pen 7-10 second-cross heifers but of better quality that the previous pen and recommended to farmers as the type they should breed.

Pen 8-First-cross heifer calves as large as some mature cattle

Pen 9-Second-cross heifers. As compared to pen 8, they have better frames, greater refinement and superior confirmation

Pen 10 Third cross heifers. Heifers in 8,9 & 10 were being recommended by the attendant as those recommended for future breeding.

Pen 11, 12, and 13. Each pen had 10 steers from the first, second, and thirdcross steer calves ranging from 11 to 13 months.

The 13 consecutive pens at this remarkable demonstration enable us to see and study in a few hours breeding results extending over a period of 10 years.

After viewing the cattle, the audience heard from 3 speakers. The first was the James Napier, representing the farm. Next was William Jardine, United States Secretary of Agriculture. The final speaker was the President of the American Farm Bureau Federation.

At the conclusion of the speaking program six streams of men, women and children began the lines for the refreshment tent. The Milgram grocery stores of Kansas City prepared each guest a hearty luncheon, eaten picnic style, on the bluegrass. Attendance at the grading-up demonstrations increased from about 500 persons in 1917 to 10,000 in the mid-1920s. During and after the Great Depression the attendance dropped dramatically.

Next week: Sni-A-Bar Welcomes the USDA and Mizzou

Photos from Sni-A-Bar Demonstration Days, held in Grain Valley annually on the second Thursday in October from 1917 until 1945. Photo credit: Grain Valley Historical Society