322 AGRICULTURE OF MAINE. 



RELATION OF YIELD TO COST OF PRODUCTION. 



Fred RasmussEn, Professor of Dairying, New Hampshire 



College. 



When asking a large number of average dairymen how much 

 it costs to keep a cow per year, the amount given generally 

 varies from $50 to $150 per year. On many farms, where 

 dairying is carried on as a side issue, the cost of feed is often 

 regarded as the sole item of expense in keeping a cow, while, 

 as a matter of fact, when all items of expense are considered, 

 the feed represents about one-half the total cost. 



So many factors enter into the cost of producing milk that 

 it is impossible for anyone to produce a set of figures which 

 will fit every man's conditions. . The productions per cow, the 

 cost of feed, whether the feed is bought or raised on the farm, 

 the money invested in buildings and equipment, labor, depre- 

 ciation on equipment, and cows and other factors, influence the 

 cost of producing milk. 



In considering the cost of producing milk, the subject may. 

 therefore, be divided into two parts, the cost of feed and the 

 cost of overhead charges, represented by interest on capital, 

 insurance, taxes, depreciation, veterinary services, etc. 



Cow AND THE FeED. 



As the cost of feed is albout one-half of the total cost of pro- 

 ducing milk, the amount of milk obtained from a certain 

 amount of feed consumed by a cow becomes one of the most 

 important factors to consider. A cow uses food for three dif- 

 ferent purposes: 



1st. For her maintenance. 



2nd. For the fetus if with calf. 



3rd. For production. 



The question may be asked why does one cow in a herd pro- 

 duce 10,000 pounds of milk and another, given the same op- 



