SMR Breeders Co-op Ltd. fonds: Home

SMR Breeders Co-op Ltd. fonds

Call Number: Mss 128 (A.94-43)

Title: SMR Breeders Co-op Ltd. fonds.

Dates: 1952-1980.

Extent: 0.28 m of textual records.

Administrative history: Artificial insemination in cattle was first introduced in Manitoba in the early 1940s. A company concerned with cattle insemination was started up in 1952 by a group of local farmers and businessmen from the Stanley and Rhineland municipalities, from which its first official name was derived, S & R Artificial Breeders. The first annual meeting was held on May 1, 1952. The goal of the association was to help farmers enhance the quality of milk and beef. On May 16, 1952 the association had bred its first cow through artificial insemination and, after funding was received by the Department of Agriculture, an insemination technician was hired. In 1960, the association was officially incorporated and named SMR Breeders Co-op Ltd., the M representing the municipality of Montcalm. The growth of the association peaked in 1962 when over 2800 cows had been artificially bred. By the late 1970s, SMR ran into financial difficulties and was hurt by lack of interest. In 1979, at its 27th annual meeting, the members decided to dissolve the association.

Custodial history: The fonds was donated to University of Manitoba Archives & Special Collections in 1994 by Bernie Zacharias, former secretary of the association.

Scope and content: The fonds consists of receipt and account books, minute books, financial records, insemination reports, membership information, certificates, and correspondence of SMR Breeders Co-op Ltd.

Source of supplied title: Title based on contents of fonds.

Restrictions: There are no restrictions on this material.

Accruals: No further accruals are expected.

Finding aid: A printed finding aid is available in the Archives reading room and an on-line finding aid is available at the link below:

MSS 128 (A.94-43).