474 



EXPERIMENT STATION RECORD. 



DAIRY FARMING— DAIRYING. 



The cost of producing Minnesota dairy products, 1904-1909, T. P. Cooper 

 (Minncfiota Sta. liiil. 12.',. pp. 89-188, figs. 12; U. 8. Dept. Ar/r., Bur. Statis. Bui. 

 88, pp. 84, pis. 2, figs. 13). — The work reported in tliese bulletins was done by 

 the Minnesota Station in cooperation with this Department, and is an investi- 

 gation of the cost of producing dairy products on 3 groups of Minnesota farms. 



The purpose was to determine the cost of production as represented by .3 

 different phases of agricultural development, (1) at Halstad, Minn., where 

 grain growing is the prominent feature. (2) at IVIarshall. where agriculture is 

 in the Iransitioti stage from grain growing to live stock production, and (3) at 

 Northfield, where dairying is the most important industry. There were from 

 8 to 10 farms in each community, and tlie methods of collecting data were 

 similar to tliose previously reported (E. S. R., 21, p. 188). The feeds consumed 

 were charged at the farm price and not at the cost of production. 



Average cost of milk production and income per cow on dairy farms. 



> Average from sales and from use in house and on farm. 



It was found that the rise in income during the periods studied has been 

 almost directly proportional to the rise in prices, while the increases or de- 

 creases in cost of maintenance have been very closely related to increased or 

 decreased prices for feeds and labor. 



A noteworthy point is the small proportion of daii'y products used on the 

 farm at Northfield. a district engaged in the sale of whole milk, and the great 

 use of them at Marshall and Halstad, the creamery districts. 



The almost constant increase in tlie income from year to year was ascribed, 

 first, to tlie advance in prices of dairy products, and second, to the increased 

 production of milk or milk fat per cow. At Northfield the income was affected 

 to a greater extent by an increase in prices than in the other sections. 



It is pointed out that a serious error in feeding the farm cow is tlie lack of 

 liberality, and that at ordinary prices the cow giving only average yields must 

 often be kept at a money loss. The increased profits from cows of high pro- 

 ductivity are well illustrated by a comparison between the cow giving 10,000 

 lbs. and one giving 4.000 lbs. of milk. 



" The data accumulated show very clearly that under average farm condi- 

 tions tlie cost of milk or butter fat production is high and that, based upon cost 

 alone, the income from products sold is not sufficiently high to cover cost of 

 production. It should be remembered, however, that this investigation is con- 

 cerned with the cost or income as obtained from groups of farms; that these 

 groups, as nearly representative as can be obtained, are managed by individuals 

 operating the enterprise at varying profits or loss. Some attain a high profit, 

 others invariably operate at a loss, depending upon managerial skill and the 



