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American Rabbit Breeders Association

ARBA Bulletin 1969 Vol. 4, No. 1 - Jan/Feb
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Title

ARBA Bulletin 1969 Vol. 4, No. 1 - Jan/Feb

Subject

ARBA member periodicals

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American Rabbit Breeders Association

Source

American Rabbit Breeders Association

Publisher

American Rabbit Breeders Association

Date

1969

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English

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American Rabbit Breeders Association, “ARBA Bulletin 1969 Vol. 4, No. 1 - Jan/Feb,” ARBA Digital Library, accessed June 7, 2025, https://arbalibrary.org/item/41.
Text

The Monsees children, Debbie, Judy, and Mathew, Brownsville, Texas rounding up their rabbits after the 1966 hurricane Inez had destroyed their home and rabbitry. Note the distilled water container necessary to care for their rabbits during this aftermath.
Lloyd L. Potts, Sr.
We of the North Texas RBA and the Dal-Tex Youth Rabbit Club were certainly thrilled to be part and parcel of the plan to aid some disaster stricken rabbit raisers of the Brownsville area. However, it will be determined from Dorothy Newport’s article following -that the best of plans often go awry.
The donated rabbits for the hurricane
stricken family finally found there way to youth breeders of our area and they have proved to be a boon to interest and activity. Andres Rodriquez, Smith Dodson and I sponsor the youth. Those youngsters that received rabbits from this project have in turn supplied other youth with young from succeeding litters.
(Continued Page 3)
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF AMERICAN RABBIT BREEDERS ASSN.
4323 Murray Avenue James Blyth, Secy. Pittsburgh, Pa. 15217
The Bulletin
AMERICAN RABBIT BREEDERS ASSN.
W. E. (Bill) Molen. Editor P.O. Box 8, Bronson. Kansas 66716 Mark Youngs, Assistant Publicity Chm.
PUBLICITY STAFF
George Berl Bett Hickman Joe Lutes Rnth Ford
O. R. (Bud) Chaney
Lloyd Shantz Kay Martin Joan Wallace Dora O’Hare Russell Riding
EXECUTIVE BOARD ABBA Wayne Willmann. Pres. Janies Blyth. Secy.
Oren Reynolds, V-Pres. Ellis Murray, Treas.
Vern Ashton Claude Bennett W. H. Kennedy J. Cyril Lowit
DIRECTORS
Iran Miller W. E. Molen E. P. Shilliday Edward Stahl
D. F. Parker
THE
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
deal with ARBA business. Some members have criticised the inclusion of articles on how to raise certain breeds, or why people raise rabbits, etc. How do you feel about this? What do you want to see in our Bulletin? Do you like to see included NEWS items from Specialty Clubs?
For many years the ARBA has tried to get State Representatives (now referred to as Agents) to work for the Association. The results have never been anything to brag about. Again, I plead with all State agents and local agents to assist your Association in getting ADS for our Booklet “A Practical Beginning to Successful Rabbit Raising”. For many years, Mr. Blyth has had to do most of the work in getting ADS. He is trying again. But I contend that 200 agents in America can do something and help put this job over the top in a big way. Don’t tell me you haven’t anything to do — or that you do not know what to do — here is a job — get some ads within the next 10 days and send them to Jim Blyth. We need the help of every member. Don’t wait on your Agent to contact you. Send in your Ad now. The circulation is 25,000. Be sure your name and breed are included.
I hasten to correct some figures I gave you in the last Bulletin concerning the membership contest. The $150.00 total I mentioned should have been divided between two sets of contestants. One set of individuals and firms we pay $75.00 and divide it 5 ways. To another set of Clubs and Associations we divide another $75.00 in five ways. The winner in each section receives $25.00; 2nd, $20.00; 3rd, $15.00; 4th, $10.00 and 5th $5.00. These awards are made for new memberships only. The purpose I mention this is the same. Why do we let the same people win each year? I hope many of our members will try for one of these awards. Our Secretary will supply you with the application blanks.
This is the last issue of our Bulletin under the Editorship of Director W. E. Molen. We owe him our sincere thanks for the valuable service he has rendered the ARBA in the publication of our Bulletin. Send him your ‘thank you’.
Begining with the next issue, Director Shilliday will be the Editor. We can’t always provide you with 28 pages as we did last time — but we shall do our best with the money we have. I hope you understand.
Some of our members feel the Bulletin should contain ONLY items that
Time is getting short for the Revision of all our Standards of Perfection. If you are concerned about our new BOOK of STANDARDS — hurry and get your ideas to Al Meier, North Roy-alton, Ohio. The deadline is September 1st, so he can have everything ready for Board Approval at the Calgary Convention. The book will go to press immediately after the 1969 Convention because the New Standards become effective Jan. 1970.
If you want any supplies for National Rabbit Week July 16 - 22; you may get them from Mrs. Kay Mallot, Secretary of the Youth, as our Board has turned over the material to our Youth Department. The Board felt our Youth would do a better job promoting Rabbit Week than our Adults have been doing. The kids know how to advertise.
In your 1969 Yearbook — please add the following names to the Publicity Committee: Mrs. Ruth Ford, Texas; Russel Riding, Florida; and Mrs. Kay Martin, Indiana. Under the state of Indiana please substitute the name of Offie Gaskins for that of Frank Miller as a State Agent. Thanks members for accepting these tasks.
Sincerely, Wayne Willmann
Page Two
N. TEXANS AID
(Continued from Page 1)
The North Texas RBA attempts to hold instructional programs on new breeds or breeds of rabbits not common to the area. We also draw names of members of the youth club and they receive fine specimens of rabbits for breeding and exhibition purposes. We feel we have a very worthwhile operation in action.
TEXAS HURRICANE RABBIT PROJECT
Dorothy Newport
The Christmas season, 1966 found us in the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. While touring we went to the southern most road in the U.S., and the southern most road that went anywhere was to the Gulf, by way of Brownsville, Texas. The reason we drove down the blvd. was because of a faded, weather beaten sign that said “Rabbits for Sale”. Here we met a very charming couple with three children. Jim & Louise Monsees, children, Debbie, Judy, and Mathew. They had approximately 100 rabbits of questionable breed, faintly resembling N.Z.W and Checkered Giants. They were very enthusiastic about their rabbits, and proudly showed them off as if they were the best pedigreed stock one could buy. This was a family project, and they had been through several “Winds” and huricane Inez.
They had to evacuate during Inez and were gone for two days. They released all the rabbits from their cages to give them a sporting chance for survival. When they returned after two days, they found rabbits all over their acreage, porch, in the house, garage, etc. . . . They watered and fed them, and gradually had them penned once again.
Their market for rabbits was tremendous. They sold mostly to shrimp boat people who were having to spend 1 week to one month in the Gulf for a
“Catch”.
Average order was for 40 pounds per 3 men crew. They had other private customers, and at Christmas and Easter time the Mexican people were delighted to have this furry pet for their youngsters in their cramped living-quarters.
Jim and Louise were raising rabbits down south all by themselves. They had no one to talk to about this hobby, and no rabbit show or fair to exhibit them. People in their area had never seen another breed of rabbit unless they traveled to the more northern part of Texas. How they would have loved to have a club . . . and they dreamed of
one day having a rabbit exhibition of pedrigreed rabbits at their fair. It would be a first.
As I was exhibiting during the summer at fairs, I kept thinking about these people that wanted to have a rabbit show and nothing to work with, and rabbit promotion at the southern most in Texas. It didn’t take long to have pledges from a few people, and rabbits in my pens awaiting shipment. Then Hurricane Beuhlah hit this very area, totaly demolishing every pen and rabbit. This was just prior to the ARBA convention of Oct. 67 in Syracuse, if you remember, and many ARBA members contributed their quarters (25c) to help air express these rabbits to this family.
Arrangements were made with Lloyd Potts of Frisco, Texas to receive these animals upon shipment, and transport them to Brownsville to the Monsees family. This would save considerably on expense. Mr. Potts talked to his club after returning home from the convention and his club was willing to make a trip down there to help the couple rebuild their rabbitry.
So November 3, 1967 I attended a Kansas City show, and the club there housed the rabbits overnight. The next day Harry Fisher and Joe Crawford helped load the rabbits into the station wagon ... Joe drove me to the airport (bitter cold), and we had the animals on their way. Lloyd had pens ready for them, and reported that one or two didn’t stand the trip very well, but they were fine looking animals. In about two weeks he traveled to Brownsville, which was quite distant (400 miles?) And found that the future for this family was very uncertain. There house was unlivable, and they were having a hard time finding something suitable. They finally moved and were unable to raise rabbits.
Here was Mr. Potts with these rabbits of mercy in his rabbitry. The North Texas RBA Club, of which he is a member, had recently formed a Youth Club. By telephone conversation, Lloyd and
I decided that these rabbits should be given to the new Youth Members of their club to help start them off right. Karla Kay Potts exhibited some of the NZW at the convention this year at Pueblo.
The following people donated rabbits and pedigrees to the Texas Hurricane Rabbit Project.
2 New Zealand Whites from Evelyn
Morrison of Morrisons Rabbitry, West
Liberty, Iowa
2 New Zealand Whites from J & R Rabbitry, Jess Jarvis, of Mt. Vernon,
Iowa
Page Three
1 Blue Silver Marten from Bob Bex of Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1 Black Silver Marten from Bob Bex Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1 Pair Sable Silver Martens from Dag-low - Weaver Rabbitry, Homer, Mich. 1 Blk Checkered Giant Doe from Wil-ford Wells of Ohio
1 Blk Checkered Giant buck from Bob Wallace, Glenwood, Iowa
1 Blk Checkered Giant Doe from Viking Rabbitry, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
2 Golden Palominos (Pair) from Viking Rabbitry, Cedar Rapids, Iowa
1 Golden Palomino from Elaine Newport, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 1 Golden Palomino from Bill Hemmer, Cedar Rapids, Iowa 1 Calif. Doe from Bill Molen 1 Calif, buck from Harry Fisher of Kansas City
This is a total of 16 rabbits which came to 164 lbs., in 5 crates at a cost of $38.06 Air Express from Kansas City to Dallas, Texas.
PUBLICY — RABBITS FRONT AND CENTER
Bill Molen
President Wayne Willman and Herb Layton stopped at our home on the return trip to Cleveland, after attending the Pomona Convention. Wayne discussed the proposed new ARBA Bulletin and asked if I would consent to serve as editor. To this I consented, starting without benefit of example, and now this the start of the fourth year of the new ARBA Bulletin we find the January-February to be our last. It was impossible for us to continue longer. Because of full time college work toward the end - that I will receive an advance degree - , I do not have the time to devote. Likewise, I have been forced to forego many of my local activities and I reluctantly resigned from my position of the past 10 years as superintendent of the Missouri State Fair, rabbit division.
Ed Stahl, my trusted and true friend of many years, has served me well as adviser and confident. Ed Stahl, said, “Molen, I don’t see how you have carried on the tremendous responsibilities, of sponsoring local, state and regional shows; the Sedalia ARBA Convention; the fabulous new ARBA Guide Book and the equally outstanding ARBA Bulletin. You certainly are a glutton for punishment.” Stahl, added, “Don’t ever think your fine work has not been appreciated and a boon to the membership.”
I wish to thank the membership for the way they have received my efforts
Page Four
Ed Stahl and Bill Molen viewed in front of the last remaining building at the Holmes Park site of Stahl's Outdoor Enterprise operation. The worlds largest rabbit operation is the way Who's Who describes one of Ed's activities. True and trusted is the friendship of Ed and Bill and many priceless publications and records have been passed on to Bill Molen by Ed Stahl.
displayed in the Guide Book, Bulletins and other endeavors. It is for you the membership that I tried my best. It is only through the membership cooperation that I achieved any success. Your cooperation is imperative and without it success is not attainable.
The Regional Judging Conference idea has certainly proven popular and useful and we carry another fine report this issue from New England. There is an outstanding article relative to the compassion of our breeders in Iowa, Missouri and Texas in coming to the aid of a calamity stricken family in Texas. Reread Doroty Newport and Lloyd Potts articles a second time, please.
A couple of tried and proven old-timers have excellant articles in this issue. Mark Youngs, originator of the Palomino rabbit, pen a very fine historical article. Mark has been around since the turn of the century and his article in this issue, The Parallel & Paradox; Palomino & New Zealand Red, is outstanding. Besides forwarding the article, Mark forwarded many rabbit pulications of the early turn of the century era. A full report of the Gilmore Rabbit Farm winning at the 1915 San Francisco Worlds Fair.
Reports and pamphlets from Hale Prather, president of the National New Zealand Club. The New Zealand Club official publication of the period in which the initial history of the first New Zealands coming into America from New Zealand in the year 1906, by Mr. John Henry Synder, San Francisco. The other old-timer is Mel Behrens who has devoted a lifetime to
rabbits and the Columbus Daily Telegram devoted a feature placement and story to Mel.
Nationwide Club Notes evidence the spirit of cooperation and progress within the framework of ARBA. We are most proud that we initiated this department and all may see the great benefit derived therefrom. Colorado folks have just completed a most excellent ARBA Convention and then in their renewed fervor have secured the readmittance of rabbits to the National Western Stock Show.
The usual reports of registrations, contests, grand champions, sanctioned shows appear this issue. Also Secretary Blyth has a couple timely articles including a caution about eagerness in registration contests to such a degree, that maybe the intent of rules are being overlooked.
Beginning with the next issue of ARBA Bulletin, Ev Shilliday, 5188 Eastover, Lyndhurst, Ohio 44124 will serve as editor. Please extend to Ev the same fine cooperation that I have learned to appreciate and we will continue to grow and prosper.
I have received letters from editor Robert E. Richardson, The Rabbitman Magazine; Mrs. Gladys Ford, editor American Rabbit Journal; Don Guthrie, editor Small Stock Magazine, all expressed dismay that I was giving up the editorship of the ARBA Bulletin but as they are in the publishing field they full well knew the tremendous burden of such an undertaking. I appreciated these letters and the many, many received from the membership. I will quote from one such letter, from Mr. Lloyd Potts Sr., Texas - “We certainly hate to see you leave the Bulletin. You have done an excellent job. We are sure you will also do your very best in your new activities and position.”
HISTORICAL BACKGROUND-CHALLENGING FUTURE
James Blyth
In the year 1910, a group of rabbit and cavy fanciers met at the home of Charles S. Gibson, 1045 West Warren Avenue, Detroit, Michigan, and organized what is now called the American Rabbit Breeders Ass’n., Inc. However, it was not organized under that name but as the National Pet Stock Ass’n. From the name, we would take the indication these men were fanciers, not commercial breeders. Those gentlemen as we remember them were in most cases fanciers. Mr. W. I. Lyon form Lock Haven, Ill., served as the first President with several active
breeders from the Detroit area. Of that group today, we know of only one who is still with us. While he was a young man at the time of that meeting, he had been active in rabbits for a number of years and made much of the information available to us today to learn something about that organization, The National Pet Stock Ass’n. Mr. Charles S. Gibson, in whose home the organization meeting was held, was the first Secretary and the man I refer to who is still with us is Oscar Sennewald, who now resides in Birmingham, Michigan, but no longer raises rabbits. He was supervisor of the rabbit department for many years for the Michigan State Fair. Even today is considered by those old timers who still survive the most outstanding authority on shows in the United States. As time went along, these rabbit people began to realize the rabbit is of great commercial value as meat and fur. Thus the name “National Pet Stock Ass’n.” did not fit the revised groups’ efforts. In order to take in more small live stock, it was renamed the National Breeders and Fanciers Ass’n. Mr. Gibson still was the key pin of that organization, much to the dissatisfaction of many others. In 1919 when the National Breeders and Fanciers Ass’n Convention was held in Cleveland, Ohio, there were a number of members who were going to impeach Mr. Gibson and remove him from office for neglect and not care of the proper management of his office. Much of the testimony appears in the 1919 National Breeders and Fanciers Official Guide Book. However, before these men could take action, Mr. Gibson went into the courts and obtained an Incorporation Papers for the National Breeders and Fanciers, Inc. thus we had two national associations. The question was-which would survive. There was a struggle between the two for a time and eventually the old National began to wane and some of the leading rabbit raisers at that time turned their attention to what was known as the new National or the one that was incorporated. The old National finally passed out and the last President of it was Mr. George H. Loose of Ashtabula, Ohio. He no doubt held many of the records of the old Association up until his death. The leading breeders then having gone over to the new Association and gave their attention to remedying the office of Secretary which was still held by Mr. Gibson and they were instrumental in having Mr. Gibson leave his office. If memory serves me right, George Eick-ert, a prominent fancier of Chicago, Illinois, took over the duties of Secretary. However, due to ill health, Mr. Eickert was forced to retire and Ray-
Page Five
mond L. Pike of Edwardsville, Indiana was appointed or elected as Secretary of the National Breeders and Fanciers, Inc. Mr. Pike proceeded to put on a big front and spent money for a lot of costly advertising and leaflets and ran the Association in to debt and just previous to the National Convention in 1924 at Lima, Ohio, a group of officials high in the Association had suggested the name of A. Weygandt, an Angora Rabbit Breeder, with an outstanding reputation, as Secretary. Conditions were explained to Mr. Weygandt about the Association being in debt and about ready to pass out of existance, and he agreed to take over and by sound business knowledge brought the Association back on a sound basis. Under the guidance of Mr. Weygandt, the Association prospered and grew. The officials then believing it was time to change the name to a more fitting name when the organization actually was composed of rabbit and cavy breeders, not small stock. Therefore, shortly prior to 1924, the Association’s name was changed to American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Ass’n, Inc. And Incorporated by Mr. Weygandt under the State Laws of Illinois as a non-profit corporation. This name continued until the Portland Convention. There were a number of prominent members who thought the word “Cavy” drew much attention from the word “Rabbit” in our name. Since it was called to their attention if you went into a bank or any place of business and said your name was American Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Ass’n, Inc., the next question that immediately came at you - What is a cavy? The average public today does not know what a cavy is. Thus the name was changed to the American Rabbit Breeders Ass’n, Inc., and the records changed with the State of Illinois.
It has never been maintained the American Rabbit Breeders Ass’n or its predecessors were ever commercial people. They were interested in pure bred rabbits for exhibition and improving a high standard of excellence for these rabbits and cavies. Over the years, the Association has done many things to improve the Standards, Show Rules, Knowledge of our Judges, etc. While there are a few old timers who will look back at records and feel we had better judges in the past, if a careful study is made, you will find we really have better judges today than we had years ago. True there were a few of them years ago and a few of them were good. Today, there are many judges and most of them are good judges and have a good knowledge of the Standard of Perfection and know how to apply
Page Six
it. But never to our knowledge has any of these fanciers knocked in any manner, way, shape or form the advancement of the rabbit as a commercial animal. In fact, there are many fanciers who sell their culls to the meat market or process themselves and sell the car-cus to their neighbors and friends. Some supply laboratory brokers with laboratory stock those that are not desirable for exhibition or breeding purposes. I believe the American Rabbit Breeders Ass’n works in harmony with the commercial end of rabbit raising, but since they really are the largest rabbit organization in the United States, if not the world, however, they do not have all the rabbit breeders organized in the United States. Because the so-called commercial breeders, the smaller ones, do not consider it necessary to join a National Association for the betterment of the rabbit breeding. They feel they can continue on and make money out of rabbits without contributing a few dollars to the support of a National Organization which might help them and has helped them in a time of crisis. Might mention at the time the ARBA put many dollars into the fight against the importation of wild Australian rabbit meat into this country and battled against the express company before the Interstate Commerce Commission to keep rabbit rates down, fought against buy back concerns that were instrumental in misleading beginners to a poor start and causing failures in rabbit breeding. It is hard to please the American public. Many of them are gullable and they will believe anything they are told until they actually find out for themselves they have been misinformed. Then they quickly turn a-gainst their friends who attempted to advise them correctly and help them get the proper start.
In giving you this brief history of the ARBA and how it was formed, I am in hopes all of its members and those outside will realize the 58 long years that some of these people have toiled in an effort to make conditions better for the rabbit raiser. And I hope you as a rabbit raiser will realize this and join with us in order to make a greater rabbit industry and prepare us for better times in 1969. With the way things are moving in our office, we look forward to a good year in 1969; we look forward to a better and bigger shows and more markets for both meat and laboratory rabbits. However, this can only be accomplished by the help of many thousands of raisers of rabbits over the country. We ask support. We have a good organziation, foundation is well laid by men of experience over the last 58 years and we can benefit in 1969 by
the history of our organization and its activities. I urge each and every one of you to join to make 1969 the greatest year in our history.
We have been so busy in the office, I was unable to acknowledge or reciprocate with the beautiful holiday greetings which were sent to me from all over the world. I say all over the world because they were received from
foreign countries also. I hope many of you will understand the great business is booming and I must give attention to it. Therefore, I could not reciprocate with Christmas and New Years Cards. However, I do wish each and every one of you a very happy New Year and hope with all of us working together for the common cause of making the rabbit breeding more profitable and more pleasure.
NATIONWIDE
Club Notes
COLORADO RABBIT CLUB SPONSORS RABBIT DIVISION NATIONAL WESTERN STOCK SHOW
Rabbits are again a featured department of the National Western Stock Show, Denver, Colorado. This year during the January 10-18 Rocky Mountain event, rabbits again were on display. The rabbits were judger by Duane Shrader, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Certainly thanks must go to all interested workers and exhibitors alike, but especially thanks must go to hard working Pat Herman who served as show superintendent, and to Trudy Hannon who served the event as show secretary.
Rabbits had been omitted from the official family of exhibits for a lapse of a couple of years and the Coloradoans are to be complimented for their work and dedication to purpose, in getting rabbits reaccepted to this great event. The Colorado folks issued a 28 page catalog; they sanctioned 6 breeds and a dandy Youth Division. Truly an outstanding effort and we of ARBA are thankful for such dedication.
•
ARBA YOUTH BULLETIN REVIVED AND REVISED
E. L. (Al) Alger, 3620 Eddy Street, Amarillo, Texas 79109 is the editor of the brand new - ‘New Look’ - ARBA Youth Bulletin. The Bulletin is well planned, easy to read (clear and con-cise and above all covers all facets of Youth activities. No item, no department, nad no interest is omitted. The Youth Division has been moving forward, steadily during the past year, and this Youth Bulletin will hasten the forward movement. The ARBA Youth Division is on the go, all channels go.
Thanks to Sam Gerardi, Kay Malott, and Al Alger. Of course they have cooperation, how else could they proceed? •
KANSAS STATE NEWS SPORTS NEW EDITOR
President Bob Ernst, Kansas State RBA, has appointed Gordon Fry, 1213 West Oklahoma, Arkansas City, Kansas 67005 as the new editor of the Kansas State News.
Fry’s first issues are excellent and show a fine blending of rabbit news, show reports and activities, and social reporting of club activities. It is a challenge to an editor of a bulletin to include the various departments of an organization and its affiliates. It is easy to become involved in a rut and lend too much space and interest to only one segment. News does not come to an editor. It is a hard job of begging for news, requires activity and expense in attending as many shows and meetings as possible, because this is where the news is made. Gordon Fry is off to an auspicious start and as we have known Gordon for some years, we know this is only the beginning. The Kansas State News will grow, will improve each issue and the Kansas State RBA will certainly benefit.
•
BAY AREA RABBIT BREEDERS
The Bay Area RBA have added a new look to a new bulletin, the latest issue we received featured 3-color layout work. Mrs. Alice Murray, Box 395, Byron, California 94514 is the secretary and editor. Other officers include Heinz Hofmann, president, Norbert Brooks, vice-president, directors: Norman Pederson, Mrs. Connie Baer, Ricky Scofield and Russell Huth (Youth) with Mrs. Hilde Hofmann as delegate to Council of California ARBA Clubs.
The paramount feature of the Bay Area Bulletin is the inclusion of an Educational Sheet with each issue.
Page Seven
REGISTRATIONS FOR NOVEMBER 1968
New Zealand ,, ... 111 American Chin
Satins _ 24 Rex _
Dutch _ „ 14 Palomino
Champ. D’Argents _ 13 Havana
Californians 12
Checkered Giant 9 English „
Silver Marten 8 Polish
Flemish _ . 8 Angora
GRAND CHAMPIONS FOR NOVEMBER 1968
Owner Ear No. Reg. No.Breed
L. Dishaw New Zealand .6225—A VB3
W. Mattsen New Zealand . 546—A V864
R. V. Fox Dntch . 513—A F27
Mel’s Rabbitry ..New Zealand .4691—A J13
B. Broher Silver Marten . 264—A BA6
W Booker Silver Marten . 268—A B10
L. &. J. Bowers Silver Marten .7026—A H325
O. Havens Dutch .3747—A ALM2
Runny Grove Californian .5918—A 71
Bunny Grove Satin .5915—A 815
Bunny Grove Satin .5916—A 50R
Runny Grove Satin .5917—A 118
Walter Rabbitry .... New Zealand .9036—X 09W
R. Berry Polish .4790—A JN1
R. Berry Polish .4779—A 1B144
Bengtson Dntch .3854—X AX37
Ludwig Rabbitry New Zealand 3344—A BKO
H. Fast New Zealand 6976—A 257
RABBIT BREEDER RECALLS EXPOSITION OF 1924
Columbus Daily Telegram
Editors Note: (The Columbus Daily Telegram featured a half page spread replete with photographs of one of our most eminent breeder-members. Mel Behrens is a native of Nebraska but transplanted to New York when he entered the employment of Stahl’s Outdoor Enterprises in 1938. He has since devoted a lifetime to rabbits and rabbit activities. )
Taking particular interest in the current Platte county fair especially the rabbit exhibits - is nationally-known rabbit breeder Melvin E. Behrens of Pearl River, N.Y.
The rabbit business is a combination hobby and commercial venture for Behrens, a native of the Columbus area who is employed by American Cyana-mid Co., Lederle Laboratories Division, at Pearl River.
Spending a three-week vacation here with relatives and friends, Behrens recalls that he bought his first pet rabbit during World War I from another boy at Palmer with his then life savings -47 pennies.
His interest then waned for a time, Page Eight
being absorbed with school activities and with trapping, mink, muskrat, civet cats and skunks for pin money, but was revived in August 1924, when he attended his first county fair the “Mid-Nebraska Exposition” in Columbus, Exhibits at the exposition included some 50 rabbits of different breeds.
Behrens secured his first rabbit breeding stock in September 1924, and was “on his way.”
He joined the National Rabbit and Cavy Fanciers Association (now the American Rabbit Breeders Association) in January 1925, and has kept that membership up ever since.
In 1926 Behrens exhibited Rufus Reds at the Nebraska State Fair for the first time, and that fall decided he wanted to add a different breed. He decided on the Checkered Giant (being fascinated by their style and beautiful markings) but the cost of an outstanding Checkered Giant Doe. $30, seemed almost prohibitive to the youth.
However, his father, Emil Behrens, lent a helping hand. He told Mel to take a load of corn to an elevator in Shelby, and the load yielded enough to purchase the doe.
In 1926, Behrens exhibited for the first time at the A.R.B.A. convention show in Anaheim, California, and experienced “the thrill of my life” when
his Checkered Giant Doe and a Rufus Red Belgian Hare each took a first place in their class. He has exhibited at just about every A.R.B.A. convention since that time, and has won “a good share” of trophies and awards.
In 1927, Behrens made his first full scale showing at the Nebraska state fair, and also initiated the organizing of the Nebraska Rabbit and Cavy Breeders Association. He was superintendent of the Nebraska state fair rabbit division in 1927-28-29.
In May 1938, Behrens entered the employ of rabbit fancier Ed Stahl of Stahl's Outdoor Enterprise Co., Rockland County, New York. In 1940 Behrens and other Giant Chinchilla breeders and boosters organized the Giant Chinchilla Rabbit Association. Mel served as the secretary-treasurer of the organization.
Behrens was later associated with Ted Steele Fur Rabbitries, Montvale, New Jersey as general manager, and in Philadelphia as general manager of Bailey’s Chinchilla Farm of Morton, Pa. He also maintained his own herd of Giant Chinchilla and New Zealand Whites at his own place at Pearl River, with the help of his family.
After fulfilling a two-year contract with the Bailey firm, he returned to Pearl River to carry on his own business, and also entered the employ of American Cyanamid Co., Lederle Laboratories Division.
Behrens noted an unusual milestone in 1967 when he signed up his 500th A.R.B.A member - Miss Jayne B. Schef-cick of Barondia, N.Y. who can also trace relationships to Columbus.
Among the members recruited by Behrens is his son, Edward, who has been a member “since Birth.”
Behrens was born in a log cabin February 11, 1909, 12 miles northeast of Columbus, on a farm homesteaded in 1875 by his grandparents. We was a member of Christ Lutheran Church and attended Lutheran parochial schools.
He plans to continue his employment with American Cyanamid until retirement, and to continue breeding rabbits and promoting this field long after that day comes.
RABBIT MEAT A DELIGHT FOR BUDGET AND APPETITE
Marg Paterson
(Reprinted from the Northern Times and Canadian Rabbit Breeder)
Todays housewives, or home-makers as some prefer to be called are always on the look-out for some way to keep food costs down and yet provide their families with tasty, nutritious meals.
It was therefore with a personal interest in aiding my own limping budget that I anticipated a recent assignment to chat wth an enterprising young couple in West Riverside.
But first let me tantalize the reader with a riddle-what is considered a delicacy, even an epicuran delight in some parts of the world, a prolific menace in its wild state in the land “down under”, and meets all the requirements (cheap, tasty, nutritious) in the first paragraph of this article?
If you answered Rabbit and then sort of turned up your nose, your reaction would be typical of most people when confronted with the prospect of dining on this particular animal, more commonly kept as a pet.
But let me tell you about my interview . . .
My destination was the outskirts of town, on the far side of West Riverside at the end of a twisting, hilly road which I had traveled only once before -on a sleigh ride last year.
The name on the mail box read “Ott” and a nearby sign stating “Rabbits Meat; tender, fresh” assured me I had reached my destination.
Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Ott began their modest rabbit breeding business some 18 months ago and are enthusiastic about the possibilities.
“If only Canadians would realize how nutritious and good eating rabbits are,” they told me, “they would welcome the new kind of meat in their diets.”
The couple started with four does and one buck and now have a healthy rabbit population housed outdoors in hutches made by Mr. Ott himself.
The animals are kept in hutches for the duration of their lives, and even if one should get out, it never wanders far, but usually returns to sit under its own home until someone puts it back into the cage.
They are fed a diet of pellets (mostly alfalfa with added vitamins) and water, and seem to prefer this even to carrots, in spite of Bugs Bunny publicity!
The furry coated creatures bed down in hay. The bottom of the hutches is made of chicken wire so that the droppings do not foul the cages and the rabbits, all of them white, are very clean.
Rabbit raising is a year-round operation although they suffer from intense heat in the summer and extreme cold is also bad for them.
Mrs. Ott told me of two litters which were born in temperatures of 25 and 45 degrees below zero.
“The mother had piled hay very tightly in the next box,” she said, ‘ and to make sure her babies would be safe from the cold, had plucked so much of her own fur to line the nest that she
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was almost bald. But the little ones
survived. Many people are reluctant to try rabbit meat as a dish, perhaps because their only contact with eating rabbit has been with the wild kind. Domestic rabbit meat is entirely different.
“Rabbit is the lowest in calories of all meats and the highest in protein boasted the rabbit farmer, Only 10% of the animal is bone and there is very little fat.”
All of the animals sold by the Otts for the table are young and tender, none of them over eight or nine weeks old, and weigh around three pounds, dressed. Ready for the oven, rabbit looks much like chicken.
“Domestic rabbit meat is something new up here,” said Mr. Ott, “and people are seemingly afraid to try it. It can be cooked just like chicken, trussed and roasted, or made into a pot roast with vegetables, or breaded and deep fried like southern fried food. If they would only try it once, I am sure they would want to make it a regular item on their menus.”
Much of the local stock is shipped live to breeders in Alberta and Saskatchewan for breeding purposes, but the September increase in freight rates for live animals may shortly put an end to this side of the business and may lead to the eventual closing down of the rabbit farm if local or district outlets are not found for the meat.
“We used to be able to ship live rabbits for a little over $3, but now that we have to pay for cubic space (nothing can be piled on top of the crates containing livestock) it costs anywhere up to six times that much and we cannot cope with such an increase.” stated the young businessman.
When asked if there was any market for the skins of the animals, Mrs. Ott said she was only offered five cents per skin — dressed, scraped and stretched. It is not worth the effort.
Mr. Ott, who came to Canada from Germany in 1954, recalled that during the second World War, every family in the area where he lived raised rabbits to augment the meagre meat supply.
I guess Canadians need education in eating different foods, he commented. I cannot carry on unless we find a market, but local food handlers seem reluctant to try our product. The meat sells for 15 cents cheaper here than in the south, but even that does not seem to entice people to try it. Too bad, it is really good.
And here is one local resident who can personally vouch for the tenderness and fine flavor of rabbit meat, hav-
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ing cooked one for Sunday dinner, following my visit to the Ott farm.
Never having tasted rabbit liver before, I was a bit timorous, but following Mrs. Ott directions to fry it lightly in butter, I found it delicately flavored and as tender as could be.
Rabbit meat takes well to freezing, too, and seems to fill all the requirements of a cheap, nutritious dish which this writer, at least, intends to introduce into the family menu.
“CROSS THE LINE IN '69”
Bruce Boyd
The 1969 ARBA Convention-Show, September 22 - 25, Calgary, Alberta, Canada will be one of the finest. The entire convention will be housed in one building, a modern building throughout, but even so complete renovation of the area is taking place at this time. All to make the rabbits and the exhibitors the most comfortable as possible. The convention officials are working hand in glove with the Canadian government and a complete announcement relative to the simplified procedure for bringing your rabbit entry across the border and return home will appear in the next issue of the ARBA Bulletin.
The next Bulletin will also carry full information on catalog, ad size and rate; however, full particulars are being mailed to rabbit breeders, clubs and associations and suppliers. If you have not received your letter relative to catalog participation, please, forward request to Convention General Secretary Mrs. Bernadette Frey, 10567 Shill-ington Crescent S.W., Calgary 13, Alberta, Canada. Mrs. Frey will turn the letter over to Mr. and Mrs. Ted Jansen, catalogue chairmen.
Make your reservations now to attend the 1969 ARBA Convention-Show. Write to Les G. Johnson, 10567 Shill-ington S.W., Calgary 13, Alberta, Canada. The Palliser Hotel will be convention headquarters, with very reasonable rates offered. If you should desire to stay elsewhere, Calgary has a variety of hotels and motels to suit everyone at reasonable prices, yet not sacrificing comfort. The weather is ideal during September. The beautiful Rockies are awe inspiring and ‘tis truly an outdoor paradise. Camping facilities supplied by the provincial government are modern and up-to-date in every way. They feature hot and cold running water, showers and bathrooms at almost every lovely campsight.
Jeanne Maddox is photographed in a rare pose, one of relaxation. Jeanne epitomizes the complete rabbit personality. She is an efficient and hard work-ing judge and registrar. She is a show official par excellence and has served many shows diligently and faithfully in all capacities. She serves the ARBA, her national and state clubs well, and local associations faithfully. Jeanne served as official registrar at the Seda-lia Convention and in addition manned the Checkered Giant booth. In fact she isn't really resting in this photo, only looking up from her book work of preparing and completing registration blanks. Why not drop Jeanne Maddox a card at Rt. #1, Box 125A, Frankfort. Ohio 45628.
PARALLEL AND PARADOX PALOMINO — NZ RED
Mark Young
Originator Palomino Rabbit
I feel quite qualified to write on this subject being the original propagator of the “Pal” breed, and also was one of the pioneers of the New Zealand Red soon after they were imported to this country. This pioneering was in conjunction with Messers Caldwell and Gilmore in California. I was among the very first to raise them in Oregon State.
I raised N. Z. Reds, also, Rufus Red Belgian, and Steel Gray Flemish Giant in the years 1912 to 1920. I had to give up my rabbitry then to enter the University at Eugene, Oregon. Incidentlly, my rabbitry was located at Risley Station eight miles from Portland. During
that time, I shipped N. Z. Reds to all parts of the United States and I still have a sheaf of old American Railroad Express bills of lading as proof thereof.
The N.Z. Red of today is nothing like those of yesteryear, at least where type is concerned. Those of long ago actually came in all shapes. Swaybacks, Mandolin, some were race horse or Rufus Red in type, and others were long and rangy Flemish in type. Why did the American Fur and Feather Fanciers and the National Pet Stock Association, forerunners of our present A.R.B.A, give this Breed a Standard then? The answer is undoubtedly because of their unusual beautiful color.
It was a seven year fight to win National recognition or an accepted Standard from the A.R.B.A. for the Palomino Rabbit mainly on account of their former very poor type, altho they were not as bad to begin with as the original New Zealand Reds in this country. The Palominos ultimate success may be akin to the recognizing of the N. Z. Reds for their unusal coloring also. It must be remembered, that the Palomino comes in two color varieties, which are both true to the Breed Palomino, and therefore the Lynx and Golden color variety can be cross color mated getting both colors in the resultant litters or the majority of one color or the other, if not 100% all one color depending on the dominant genes carried by the parents.
On the other hand, if a New Zealand Red is mated with a N.Z. White, blacks, sandbrowns, pintos, and almost any color in the offspring will result. This is actually a proof that the New Zealand Red is an individual breed with in itself, and it is the writers personal feeling, that it was a sad mistake to have had the Whites and the Blacks for that matter along with the Reds under the Breed Name New Zealand.
But back to our main “versus” theme. Since Standard obtainment, the Pals have made great strides in type improvement. Regardless of the broad shoulders that Commercial Judging likes, we Pal Breeders don’t want to enlargen the bone structure of our breed to get this wanted square shape at the sacrifice of the Pals now high percentage meat dress out.
Isn’t it a peculiar commentary, that a Palomino that wouldn’t even place fifth in a meat pen; will out-dress the New Zealand Red, or possibly any other Commercial Breed that placed first? Let me put this question another way: Should not the proof of the pudding in a Commercial Rabbit Breed be its percentage of dress out from Live Weight rather from Appearance before processed?
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As I was saying before, regardless of the stereotype for Commercial breeds, the Palominos are improving to conform to it also, and much faster than the N.Z. Reds did which took almost half of a century, while the Palominos have just actually been on a selective breeding program for one decade.
It has been said: “The Golden Palomino is nothing but a washed out or bleached New Zealand Red.” At the 1953 A.R.B.A. Convention Show in Amarrillo, Texas; the Palomino exhibit was right across the isle from the New Zealand Reds. I spent most of my time for several days right on or near that location, and I did not hear once any comparison made of the two breeds.
Today we have many Co-Breeders who raise both the New Zealand Red and the Golden Palomino with not the least thought in their minds of similarity of these two breeds.
The New Zealand Reds from the time that they fur-out are pretty dark in color, and few albinos happen in this breed compared to other colored breeds, but should a N.Z.R. breeder ever get what he considers a light Red, and has the nerve to enter it as a dark Golden Palomino, the Judge would quickly disqualify it for it’s pink or pinkish belly for all Golden Palominos have a cream or cream white belly.
After I had the Palomino breed on the way, I thought of various cross breeding to enrich the Gold. I tried cross breeding with the Creme de Argents, because I thought that their orange undercoating would blend well with the gold. In this I was right, but along with it, there was slight silvering over all, which I couldn’t breed out. Why not a Silvered Gold Palomino then? Well because they just are not as pretty as our Silver Fox and Silver Martin Breeds.
Then I tried a cross with the New Zealand Red, and here I was wrong. The answer was bronzies or brassies, just too dark to be called Golden and too light to be a rich pretty red. No extent of Line or In breeding would lose this bronze either, so again I ruined a bunch of good rabbits of other breeds as well as good Pal stock. These experiments did convince me though that the Palomino was a distinctive breed, and I and it’s backers should do nothing, but try to improve them, as to the Standard that we set high, by selective breeding within the breed already established.
Since I’ve mentioned other breeds besides the N.Z. Red, I’d like to tell of a peculiarity the Palomino has which is quite akin to the Champagne de Argents which first fur-out black and then in their fryer-moult, silver out. The Gold-
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en Palomino when they fur-out are almost a pure yellow gold, then they darken up several shades after their fryer moult, and still may make another darker golden shade after their second moult. Occasionally, we get one up to seniority retaininy its almost Bunny light medium gold color. By this omen, it appears that it is only a matter of time, that we will get them all to come in a creamy-gold.
Yes, without a doubt the Golden Palomino and the Lynx Palomino color varieties are true to the Breed Palomino. This in itself should disprove any relationship to the New Zeeland Red.
ADVERTISING A BIG PART OF SUCCESS
Jim Blyth
There are many people who enter into the field of raising rabbits and seem to think the only thing they must know is how to raise good rabbits. That is certain and that is the basic thing -have the know how to raise good rabbits. But another very important item is advertising and knowing how to do it. Answering your correspondence and making it attractive so it will appeal to the general public. While we have many rabbit breeders through the United States that have mastered the art o fraising good rabbits, there are a lot who have never tried advertising and advertising is the thing that assures success.
There are many times we get inquiries for certain breeds of rabbits. We do not know where they are located because the breeders fail to advertise that breed. We have had vast inquiries for American Silver Fox Rabbits, Blue and White Beverens, Lop Ears, Nether-land Dwarfs, Creme D’Argents, etc. The only way we can let the public know is by advertising.
The greatest advertising medium, bar none, is the American’s Booklet “A Practical Beginning To Successful Rabbit Raising”. More than 500,000 copies of this book have been printed and distributed all over the United States and Canada to a closely checked advertising plan which the magazine must pay off in advertising or it is taken from the list. Advertising is carried on in such popular magazines as Field & Stream, Outdoor Life, Popular Mechanix, Grit, Farm Journal, Machanics Illustrated, and a number of others. Results from these magazines is tabulated very carefully and they must produce or they are cut from the list. The ARBA has proven through the growth and past year that continuous advertising of this
Judge Charles Wade, Little Rock, Arkansas judging top animals at the big show. Mr. Wade appeared at the first ARBA Regional Conference as an official and also served as Chairman of the 1957 ARBA Convention. Charley Wade has served the ARBA Board as attorney advisor on many occasions.
type really pays off. Not only in membership but in supplies the American has to offer.
We have urged our members and friends to use this booklet as an advertising medium. But it seems only a few in the area of Missouri and Kansas are using it. They use it year after year. So, it must pay off, or they would not continue on. While there are one or two who advertise in the East and one or two in the West, more are needed to make different breeds of rabbits available all over the United States. This is now more so since the railway express agency demands prepaid shipments and it is costly to ship by either rail or air at the present time. Therefore, the closer the prospective rabbit breeder can scrutinize ads that are near his home, the better off he is financially and possibly the better stock he will receive. He can examine it and see it’s worth before buying.
While there are a number of supply houses who advertise in this booklet, there are a number that do not. We believe the reason for this is because they do not realize the great potential in this advertising. We ask them to give it a trial, code your advertisement and see if it pays off. There are some of our people who would not miss an issue of this booklet if they could possibly help it.
In order to make the booklet attractive, we must try to get advertisers for everything pertaining to the rabbit business and fancy. Whether it is for breeding stock or various types, hutches, watering system, shipping crates, pedigree forms, hutch record cards, even magazines. While we do not have many
of these, it is surprising to me they don’t take advantage of this wonderful advertising medium.
We are now preparing a new edition, but the rates will have to be raised because the rates in our advertising have been raised, as well as the printing cost of the book and postage. These three increases have forced the American to increase the price of advertising in this booklet “A Practical Beginning To Successful Rabbit Raising.”
If you have an odd variety of rabbits or cavies, if you are either on the west coast or east coast, we would like to see you try this medium of advertising. We are preparing the next edition as stated above of 25,000 copies and we must hurry this along when we go after the advertising because it must not be delayed because orders for the book are coming in. There is no where or no place that you could get any better opportunity to sell your rabbits, rabbitry supplies, etc., than through the medium of this little booklet. We hope some new advertisers are interested because we feel this will promote the rabbit business, both as a hobby and a business.
We are preparing to solicit advertising for this booklet and advertising forms will be ready to mail. If you are in the rabbit business to make money, whether it be by general rabbit supplies, magazines or rabbits and cavies, you are missing one great bet by not advertising in this periodical. We ask that if you do take an ad, code it in some manner so you will know where the inquiry came from and if it doesn’t produce, then we are sadly mistaken, but from the results the ARBA has had and the people who have been advertising in it for the last several years, it is paying off. Will it pay off for you? A letter to ARBA will answer this question.
Sumner H. Willis passed away on September 9. 1968. He was an excellent member of the ARBA and had joined the association October 21, 1944 and became a registrar April 26. 1950. He took his examination for a registrar's license under the late Lewis S. Griffin. He was a very good member of the American.
To his wife and family we express our most sincere sympathy in their bereavement.
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ARBA
REGIONAL JUDGING CONFERENCES
Editors Note: Judge Bob Wallace has been a firm believer of the Regional Judging Conference or similar plan for a number of years. Bob and I discussed such an arrangement even prior to the Syracuse Convention. Bob herein offers some sage comments and ‘food for thought’. The positive action of the Board at Pueblo, extending the permanency of the Regional Judging Conference, was certainly a step forward. Bob feels this can lead to even finer and greater improvements in the future.
Bob Wallace
How many times have we stood on the exhibitors side of the judging table and heard from a breeder of merit, “That judge sure missed a hot one in that class,” or “He sure needs to learn more about that breed?” May I offer an answer? More than half the shows we attend; tests and practical application to secure a judging card are not always as tough as they might be often through no fault of the examining judge. The best teacher is, of course, experience. One must be exposed to and study the many breeds to assure the competent judge. Our ARBA has endeavored to insure that all judges keep abreast of all breeds by requiring attendance at a judges conference at conventions. I’m sure we don’t all attend all conventions and I am also sure that judges who sign an attendance sheet do not always stay for the entire conference. It is no easy matter to control this and a need is evident for a better plan. I submit to you that a regional conference is the answer.
This regional conference could bring together judges in an area served by them for the purpose of meaningful lecture and discussion of various breeding problems of standard interpretation and point distribution with practical basis. This could be arranged through the ARBA Director responsible for this kind of service in his area. Judges noted for their knowledge of particular breeds could be called upon to present that breed and lead discussions pertinent to it. I believe these conferences should be annual events and certainly no less often than bi annually. They should be located in the central most spot in the area served, if at all possible, not at shows.
The very least that could come from these conferences would be a uniform
Page Fourteen
judging of a breed. There is no limit to the final values of such meetings. Here judges would be advised as to the more experienced judges competencies and could be given practical experience with the breed. Older judges could refresh themselves with new ideas and means of getting the most out of a rabbit on the table. Breeds foreign to the region could be made available in order that a judge would not be expected to do a “bang up” job judging rabbits he had never seen before. This list could grow with this writing and still would not begin to scratch the surface of the values of regional conferences.
I for one am positive that this is one of the greatest needs we have at this time. Many fine new breeders have been lost through poor placements in shows. They either win with one they feel is poor or loose with one they feel is good. More often than not they are right and it drives them from raising rabbits to see a so called “expert” handle rabbits with no more knowledge of them than a stranger to the show.
These things happen, they are very real and they are not being remedied. This is a step in the right direction, just one step but a giant one. Our too large, too distant federal government should teach us that the decentralization of authority and close proximity of leadership is a better answer to the peoples problems. National officers who seldom if ever get into a region cannot provide services that region needs. We have directors in the regions who can provide services because they live with regional problems. We recently did this same thing where I work and the increased services to the people my co workers and I serve has been tripled. In this age we must seek new ways to serve the people. We cannot rely upon systems which were good twenty five years ago. How many judges were there 25 years ago? How many are there now?
Lets write our directors and move with the needs we have. Lets get judging on a sound basis and keep new breeders so we can educate them and they can get more new breeders. Rabbits can be a modern hobby, we don’t have to keep them on the sidelines. New ideas put new blood in our ARBA. Don’t delay, write today! If you don’t like this, suggest something better. Regional judges conferences can lead to regional breeders conferences and regional support in a united effort.
Robert Wallace
SANCTIONED ARBA SHOWS
Feb. 4-15 So. Florida RBA, Oreen Hoblitzell, R. 6, Box 511, Tampa, Fla.
Feb. 8-9 Golden West RBA, Sunny Harper, 20041 Clark St., Orange, Calif.
Feb. 19-23 Houston Livestock Show, Mrs. Ruth Teasdale, 113 E. Davis St., Conroe, Tex.
Feb. 22-23 Morrow R. Raisers, Tom Purdy, 149 Salem Ave., Fredericktown. Ohio Feb. 22-23 Shelby RBA Patt Schaffner. RR 6, Sidney, Ohio
Feb. 23 Indiana State NZRB Show. Arthur Gruner, 1725 Union St., Indianapolis, Ind. Feb. 23 Peoria Area RBA, Helen Miller, Box 25, Maquon, Ill.
Feb. 23 North Central R. Fanciers, Dale T.
Zentner, Box 11, LuVerne, Iowa March 1 Friendly Rabbit Club, C. C. Hutchins, R 6, Box 59, Augusta, Ga.
March 3-8 Central Fla. RBA, Doris Partridge, R 1, Box 79, Sorrento, Fla.
March 6-8 Stark Co. RCBA, Mrs. John Ritz, 2950 Harmont Ave., N. E., Canton, Ohio March 8 Springfield RBA, George L. South-wick. P.O. Box 202, Chatham. I11.
March 8-9 North Texas RBA, Andrew Rodriguez, 2020 Pleasant Dr., Dallas. Tex. March 9 Springfield RBA, Virginia A. Miller.
2910 Hoover Ave., Springfield. Ill.
March 9 Badger RBA, Ruth Strunk, R 2, Fort Atkinson, Wisc.
March 9 Baltimore Co. R & CBA, Delmas Cockey. 1323 S Caton Ave., Baltimore, Md. March 9-10 Delphos RBFA, Marilyn Armstrong. 127 S. Clay St., Delphos. Ohio March 18 Kansas State Dutch Club, Louise Johnson, 712 North St., Halstead, Kan. March 16 North Central Mo. Rabbit Club, Carl D. Gosoroski, RR 1, Higginsville, Mo. March 16 Decatur Area RBA, Mattie Jane Rose, RR 8, Box 59, Decatur. Ill.
March 19 Cactus RBA, Dorothy Dunbar, R 9, Rox 488 E. Tucson. Ariz.
March 20-22 Michigan State RBA, Mrs. Betty Torrey, 4005 Jackson Rd„ Ann Arbor Mich.
March 22 Fort Wayne RBA, Robert J. Geb-hart, 2105 Covington Rd., Fort Wayne, Ind. (All Chin Show)
March 22-23 Pony Express RBA, Marcelen Elliott, 1124 Henry St., Joseph, Mo.
March 22-23 Akron Rabbit Club, Mrs. Lavina Thomas, 189 High St., Doylestown, Ohio March 22-23 Poudre Valley Rabbit Club, Mrs.
Ellen Stely, P.O. Box 35, Timnath, Colo. March 22-23 Fort Wayne RBA, Robert J. Gebhart, 2105 Covington Rd., Fort Wayne, Ind.
March 23 Fairfield Co. RBA, Victor T. Sweetland, Chestnut Hill Rd.. Norwalk, Conn.
March 23 Tibbar RBA, Bob Kahler, Box 11, Custer Park, Ill.
April 4-7 Tidewater RBA, A. J. Gregory, 1063 Hugo Ave., Norfolk, Va.
April 6 Free State RBA, Mina S. Uebel, R 1, Airy, Md.
April 12-13 Midwest RBA, Mrs. Harry Fisher, 10405 E. 56th St., Kansas City, Mo.
April 13 Grundy Co. RBA, Dorothy Johnson, RR 1, Box 30, Mazon, Ill.
April 13 Lebanon Valley R & CBA. Christ Rauser, 50 N. Fulton St., Manheim, Pa. April 13 Cattaragus Co. RBA, Larry Foster, 105 North 1st St., Allegany, N.Y.
April 19-20 Van Wert Co. RBA, Kay Martin. R 1. Monroe. Ind.
April 19-20 Salt City Rabbit Club. Louise Johnson, 712 North St., Healstead, Kan. April 19-20 Great Falls RBA, Ellen Buck, 505 10th Ave., SW, Great Falls, Mont.
April 20 Cincinnati RBA, Mrs. Sue Comer, 112 W. Sharon Rd., Cincinnati, Ohio April 26-27 North Central RBA, Mrs. Marilyn Hathaway, R 2, Ludington, Mich.
April 27 Kankakee Valley RBA, Mrs. Etha Bowers. R 1, Manteni, Ill.
April 27 Trinity Valley Rabbit Club, A1 Blackfort, 416 So. 6th, La Porte, Texas
April 27 Tri Co. RBA, Philip N. Lohman, 11800 W. Howard Ave., Greenfield, Wisc. May 3-4 Bloomington Normal RBA, Roger Fitchtorn, 1302 S. Bunn St., Bloomington. Ill.
May 3-4 Richland Co. RBA, Hildred Crabbs, 1871 Rock, RR 3, Mansfield, Ohio May 3-4 Ohio Flemish Gt. RBA, Herb R.
Anthony, 746 Garfield Ave., Newark, Ohio May 3-4 Paulding RBA, Dale Boroff, Box 28, Latty, Ohio
May 4 Teays Valley RBA, Jeanne Maddox, R 1, Box 125-A, Frankfort, Ohio May 10 Mall City RBA, James R. Lemon, RR 1, Box 331, Goldsburg. Mich.
May 10-11 Tulsa RBA, Jack Lockhart, R 1, Box 173 L. Owasso, Okla.
May 11 Lima R & CBA, Dale Place, R 4, Cridersville, Ohio
May 17 Western Michigan RBA, Elmer Cup-erus, 1048 Port Sherden, Jenison, Mich. May 17-18 Portsmouth RBA, Marion Bess.
Jersey Ridge Rd., Maysville, Ky.
May 17-18 Williams Co. RBA, E. E. Lovejoy, RR 3, Bryan, Ohio
May 17-18 Huron Co. RBA, Grace Haaf, RD 3, Box 338, Wellington, Ohio May 17-18 Springfield RBA, Colleen McCros-key, R 7. Box 50-C, Springfield. Mo.
May 24-25 Loroin Co. RBA, Mrs. M. J. Hono-shofsky, RD 2, 8904 W. Ridge Rd., Elyria Ohio
May 25 Nebraska Progressive RB, Ralph Wev-er, 2600 N.W. 10, Lincoln, Nebr.
June 7-8 State Line RBA, Jane Mueller, R 1.
Box 138, Wauseon. Ohio June 8 Coshocton Co. RBA, Jack Wireman, 5475 Seeman St., Navarre, Ohio Junel4-15 Mad River Velley R & CBA. Mrs. Joyde Judy, 10 Central Ave.. Mechanics-burg, Ohio
June 15 Tri State R & CBA, Mildred E. Beatty, RD 1, Apples Corners, E. Liverpool, O. July 27 Akron Rabbit Club, Mrs. Lavina Thomas, 189 High St., Doylestown. Ohio Aug. 11-16 Washington Co. RBA. Mrs. Ruth Caldwell, RD 2. Eighty-Four, Pa.
Aug. 30 - Sept. 4 Van Wert Co. RBA. Kay Martin, R 1, Monroe, Ind.
Sept. 27-28 Morrow Rabbit Raisers. Tom Purdy. 149 Salem Ave., Fredericktown, O. Sept 28 Tri State R & CBA, Mildred E. Beatty, RR 1, Apples Corners, E. Liverpool, O. Oct. 5 Lancaster Co. RBA. Martin K. Harn-ish, Jr., 302 W. 4th St., Quarryville, Pa. Oct 11 Auto City RBA, Angeline Ellis, 21224 Sherman. Southfield, Mich.
Oct. 12 Washington Co. RBA, Ruth Caldwell, RD 2, Box 247, Eighty-Four, Pa.
Oct. 24-25 North Central RBA, Doyle Fenner, Johnson Rd., RR 3, Box 300. Ludington. Mich.
MINNESOTA MOVING.
LEADERSHIP & ACTIVITY STIRS INTEREST
The 1956 ARBA Convention at St. Paul, Minnesota has always been classified as one of the most outstanding such events ever staged. The show and exhibition was a tribute to the hard workers of the area. The meetings were lively and action packed. The food, a gourmets delight.
Well the Minnesota rabbit breeders are on the move again. Mrs. Doreen Bengtson, Box 213, Rollingstone, Minnesota 55969 had this to report in the last issue - “The membership is increasing, with many new breeders joining when they begin to raise rabbits. This is a very good thing, and we hope that each breeder, when he sells breeding stock,
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makes mention of the fact that there is a Minnesota RBA, that there is a national organization, the ARBA, and there are specialty clubs for the breed they are interested in. It doesn’t take much to see new breeders on the MSRBA, and we all will benefit from the increased membership. Let’s all work to make our association grow and improve.”
Doris Leibel, is president of Minnesota State RBA, and Doris is also rab-bitdoms most outstanding and famous television personality. Yes, Doris did it again and was on national television coverage just prior to Pueblo Convention. As usual she was supreme and performed a wonderful service for all rabbit people, rabbit importance and the ARBA. At the Syracuse Convention Doris worked behind the table and at Pueblo she worked at many and varied jobs, she is always on hand, with a helping hand. Doris in the latest Minnesota Bulletin, says, “We’re making our plans now for the next convention of ARBA at Calgary, Alberta, Canada, September 22-25, 1969. Why don’t you come along?”
We certainly don’t place ourselves on a keel with Doreen Bengsten, Doris Leibel or former vice-president Hubert Humphrey who has returned to Minnesota to teach, but we are proud, because we are natives of Mankato, Minnesota.
District #9 — New England
SUCCESSFUL JUDGING CONFERENCE
Director Vern Ashton reports District #9 staged a very successful judging conference at South Spencer, Massachusetts. Marvin Carley served as chairman of the conference.
The facilities that were used for the conference were filled to capacity - a total of 60 interested persons attended the actual conference and included 50 breeders and fanciers in addition to three registrars and seven judges. What made the conference so beneficial? The judges were very thorough in their discussion of breed featured and their talks showed that study had supplemented practical knowledge and experience. Discussions and questions from judges and audience alike enlivened the program and increased its effectiveness. The cause of uniform judging is helped immeasureable by the Regional Judging Conference in Vern Ashton’s opinion and all those in attendance at South Spencer.
There follows a breif resume of the New England Rabbit Weekend that included an All-Satin Show, an All-Breed Show, and the New England Regional
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Judging Conference. Also a letter of testimony from Roscoe F. Cuozzo to Vern Ashton is included.
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NEW ENGLAND RABBIT WEEKEND So. Spencer, Mass.
SATURDAY, OCT. 26 SUNDAY, OCT. 27
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Northeastern Judging Conference
Massasoit Hotel — Spencer Mass. EVERYONE WELCOME
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Satins — Judge Gene Henry Flemish — Judge Ralph Lowell Tans — Reg. Robert Noble Champage De Argents — Judge A1 Bjorken
New Zealands — Judge Arthur Burke Polish — Judge George Smith Rex — Roscoe Cuozzo Checkered Giants — Judge Ossie Eisen-haur
Dutch — Judge John Rod Californians — Reg. Bill Schaefer Cavies — Judge Paul Jurgelonis
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Dear Mr. Ashton:
It was my pleasure to attend and participate in the “Judges Conference” at South Spencer, Massachusetts this past weekend.
The conference was well attended and I feel that the men who were responsible for this event deserve a great deal of credit. The judges too, explained and demonstrated very clearly the standard of the breed they were asked to discuss.
It is my hope that we may have an annual Judges Conference for I am certain that a great deal of information was forth coming from this affair. Sincerely Roscoe F. Cuozzo Extension Rabbit Consultant
ILLINOIS REPORTS FOR 1969
Oren Reynolds
In closing out the year 1968 feel that we had a most successful year. There was twenty five (25) open and twelve (12) youth sanctioned shows in the state with a total entry of 12,970. This included 1,138 youth entries, 10,607 regular open and 225 meat pens. These totals do not include fur entries.
We would be amiss if we did not thank the many out of state breeders that attended and showed at many of these shows.
During the year Best in Show was picked at eleven (11) of these shows
with N. Z. White winning three (3) times, Satins once (1), Californians twice (2), Havana once (1), American Chin once (1), Checkered Giant twice (2), and Champagnes twice (2).
At our Illinois State Convention, with an overall total entry of 1305, a very good black Jr. Checkered Giant buck was declared the winner. It would seem from the various wins that we here in Illinois have some mightv fine rabbits in most all breeds.
Our State association has a total paid up membership, at this writing, of 399 adult members and 49 youth members. This membership is made up of the members from 21 state affiliated local clubs.
“WHAT IS AN
ACTIVE MEMBER”
(From Illinois News)
Submitted by Dora O'Hare Kankakee Valley RBA Member
Is he the one who comes to meetings and doesn’t exhibit or raise rabbits?
Is he the one who raises and exhibits, pays his dues for membership but does not come to meetings?
Is he the one who raises and exhibtis rabbits and pays his dues after he learns he is eligible for a trophy only if he joins a club. He then fails to ever attend a meeting?
Is he the one who is good at telling others what to do, and uses very little muscle at any function the club puts
on?
Is he the one who raises rabbits and exhibits strongly and attends all meetings and does his share of the work?
Is he the one who helps others get started with rabbits and gives any information he can to adults and children freely and helps 4-H members with information, ideas and outlets for their rabbits. Does he do this at any county fair or 4-H rabbit school. (These are needed badly in Northern I11.)? After all, these youngsters are our future rabbit breeders.
Is he the one who sits at home and expects everything on a silver platter and says “why me?” There are others who can do the job?
Is he the one who is hot and hard headed that the members always get tired of arguing with and wind up by doing it his way?
Which one of these fits you?
Which one would you like to be?
An Active Member, Marilyn
MEMBERSHIP CONTEST
As of November 29, 1968
Individuals
1. Glick Mfg. Co., Calif. 60
3. Melvin Behrens, N.Y. 28
3. Melvin Behren, N. Y. 28
4. Mark Young, Wash. 20
5. F. R. Applegate, I11. 12
6. Gary LaBar, Texas 10
7. Tommy Andrew, Pa. 10
8. N. J. McCurdy, N.Y............ 10
9. Robert W. Berry, Texas ...... 9
10. Jack Messner, Pa. 7
11. Marvin Carley, Vt. 7
Associations
1. American Satin RBA 13
2. So. Fla. RBA ............ 5
3. American Cavy Breeders ....... 5
4. Inland RBA, Wash. 5
5. Cactus RBA, Ariz.............. 4
6. Long Island RBA, N. Y. ________ 3
7. Badger RBA, Wisc. ............. 3
8. Green Belt RBA, Texas ......... 3
REGISTRATION CONTEST
As of November 29, 1968
New Zealand
1. Lewis Bowers, Ill............. 30
2. R. C. Schwab, N. Mex..... 17
3. Leonard Thompson, Mo. 15
4. Eugene Henry, Conn. 14
5. Geo. D. Johnson, Ohio 11
6. Harry Rice, Ohio _____________ 9
7. Marvin Carley, Vt_____________ 9
8. Henry Sargarsee, Mich. 9
9. F. H. Hedges, Tenn. 8
10. W. H. Smith, Tenn. 8
11. Horace Curtis, Va. 8
12. Oswald Eisenhauser, Mass. 8
13. Gerald Fast, Kansas 8
Satin
1. Pete Naylor, Kansas 20
2. John Hoblitzell, Fla. 7
3. L. A. Dunlap, Kansas 3
4. R. L. Riding, Fla........—..... 3
5 W. F. Gilbert, Calif. __________ 3
6. A. Bjorken, Conn.
7. Roger Fitchorn, Ill. 2
8. Gerald Fast, Kansas 2
9. Eugene Henry, Conn. 2
10. A. L. King, Texas ............ 2
11. R. C. Schwab, N. Mex............ 2
Californian
1. Fidelis C. Steinhoff, Wisc. 9
2. Ted Wengert, Ill ____________ 9
3. Carl Persails, Mich........... 7
4. Howard Reese, Ill. 6
5. Leland Clark, Calif. 6
7. Lester R. Helm, Wash. ......... 4
8. Dean Miesner, Colo ............ 4
9. Harold Williams, Wash....—..... 4
10. Marvin Cummings, Fla. ---------- 4
11. Earl Klubertanz, Wisc. 4
Page Seventeen
Silver Marten
1. Gary Grimm, Iowa .13
2. E. W. Storey, La............... 5
3. Dale W. Wilcox, Wash. ......... 2
4. Don Lovejoy, Calif. 1
5. Floyd Beaty, Ohio ......... 1
6. Weldon Wahl, Minn.............. 1
7. Lewis Bowers, Ill. ____________ 1
8. Dick Parker, Ala. 1
General
1. Lewis Bowers, Ill. ........... 38
2. Fidelis C. Steinhoff, Wisc.... .23
3. Ted Wengert, Ill. ........... 21
4. Pete Naylor, Kansas ...........20
5. R. C. Schwab, N. Mex. .19
6. Leonard Thompson, Mo. 18
7. Eugene Henry, Conn.............16
8. Marvin Cummings, Fla...........14
9. Gary Grimm, Iowa ............ 13
10. Charles Blender, Ark. ........12
11. Carl Persails, Mich. .12
12. Marvin Carley, Vt. 12
TWO DOLLAR FEE FOR REGISTERING RABBITS
James Blyth
It has been called to our attention that some of our over zealous registrars, in order to come up well in the registration contest which is run annually by the ARBA and several National Specialty Clubs, are over enthusiastic and are offering to register rabbits at $1 per head. This is contrary to our rules and regulations and an absolute violation to register them for less than $2 per head. It will be found on page 9 of our Official Show Rules under Instructions To Registrars, Article I - “Uniform rate of $2 per head will be charged for all rabbits or cavies registered”. This rule means just what it says and it is unfair to other registrars to reduce the price. After all, a registrar must pay $1 each for registration blanks. If he agrees to register a rabbit for $1 only, he only pays for the blank and does all this work for nothing. It is considerable work to register a rabbit to fill out the registration application in triplicate, examine the rabbit carefully, copy the pedigree, tattoo the ear number in the ear and all of this for nothing. I am appealing to any of our registrars if they are guilty of offering to register rabbits for $1 or under $2, it is prohibited and in violation of ARBA rules. Should there be charges preferred a-gainst them, they will be dealt accordingly by the Board of Directors. I sincerely hope all registrars will pay strict attention to this as it is unfair to undermine those who are living up to the rules by doing this. May I have the gentlemen, registar or registrars who are doing this their cooperation at once before things become more difficult.
Page Eighteen
WHY NOT
BEST FUR OF SHOW?
Tom Winters
If we have the Best Rabbit Show bit, I feel we should have Best Fur in Show. That is best Normal in both colored and White compete with each other after the winner has been asertained in both. The same goes for Rex and Satin. In my opinion this is only right. We have any number of breeds competing against each other for colored fur honors, with various types of fur structure. Show me the judge that knows them all. In white fur there are N.Z.W.s and Cals. If best rabbit in show makes for a better show, so will best fur and wool. I’ve raised any number of breeds, primarily colored and in my opinion good colored fur will beat white any day. Actually the first rabbits I raised were New Zealand Whites and I’ve had them every since, and always will. They make money for me. I’ve got Pals, N.Z. Blacks, and Silver Fox all in prime fur right now. Believe me I’ve judged them. I’ve got a Pal doe that would do the trick anywhere. I missed naming the Champagnes. I’ve got good fur in whites. Density and the works but, they won’t come up to any of the colored breeds. I entered a Silver Fox doe in colored fur one time. She was PRIME and I thought I had it sewed up but — her fly back wasn’t good. Beat that one. I can’t complain I took all three places in a class of twenty one colored fur. All three places with New Zealand Blacks, First place with a buck. He was good but would never compare to the Silver Fox doe. One of the nicest furs in the business. I think a few of the Judges could study the fur standards a little. You watch a fur class being judged and the majority of the rabbits are judged by the fur on the back only. I saw a Silver Martin doe win a fur class that was broken over the hips. The same doe was knocked down in open class for “fur broken over the hips”. I notice these little things. Possibly because I had access to the records but it still isn’t right. A fur class is as important as an open class.
Help them become better rabbit raisers;
ASK THEM TO JOIN THE ARBA!
ARBA The World’s Largest Organization Of Rabbit Breeders ARBA Built Upon Integrity And Service.
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Page Nineteen

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