622 BOARD OF AGRlOUI/rURE. 



SECOND PRIZE ESSAY. 



THE COST OF A POTTNI) OF lUTTTER. 



J. M. HACK, CROWN POINT. 



As my herd of cows are at present all far along in milk, I tlion.si'lit it 

 would perhaps not be a fair test to determine the cost of a pound of l)ut- 

 ter at the present time. I therefore take it upon myself to give you a 

 statement of how we managed our herd and the results obtained for 

 the year 1!I02. This herd consisted of twelve cows, high grade Jers(\vs. 

 For a winter ration, first in morning they got a feed of clover hay, then 

 before milking give feed of grain consisting of corn and oats ground as 

 follows: Two l)ushels of oats and one bushel of corn, mixed with an equal 

 amount of l)ran in l)ulk. with a spi-inkling of salt and enough old ])rocess 

 oil cake meal so tliat each cow would receive from tliree-fourtlis to one 

 pound of oil cake diu'ing the day. Then cows giving the largest flow of 

 milk get of this grain ration about ten pounds per day; those not giving 

 s<> much milk get less; grain fed in two feeds, night and morning before 

 milking. About K) or 11 o'clock they are turned out in covered yard, 

 where they have access to warm water to drink. After stables were 

 cleaned and put in order they get for the noon meal shredded corn stover. 

 Are never out to exceed one hour per day when Aveather is cold; if very 

 cold not more than one-half hour. 



For the evening meal they have before we milk the balance of grain 

 ration, and after milking is done they get a feed of corn silage, one good 

 liushcl l>asket full to each cow. Foi- tlie past five years we have fed a 

 small grain ration twice a day tlirougli the summer months, and last 

 summei- a feed of clover hay at niglit during llic entire season. After 

 .luly l.ltli we I'eoiicncd the silo and cncli cow i-i'ccjved her regulai- ration 

 of silage in tlie morning after milking was done. Now for results: Tliis 

 herd made on an average 327 and a fraction ](ounds of merchantal)le 

 butter each, tliat sold at 25 cents per pound, and owing to all kinds of 

 cow feed Ijeing very high for the year 1902, Ave estimate the cost of keep- 

 ing our cows at ^4(y each for the year, Avhich Ave think is very lil)eral. 

 Therefore, you see this butter cost us to produce it a small fraction over 

 121^ cents per pound. 



The rresident: As Ave expect to have a dairy convention next year, 

 or the latter part of tliis year, Ave want some place to go. Where do you 

 want it? What townV Wliat toAvn, under the conditions, wants to invite 

 the State Dairy Association to meet a\ itli tliemV We hear IMymouh 

 mentioned; is there any other point? Angola is also mentioned. 



