412 



FEEDS AND FEEDING 



changing, the financial figures must be regarded as examples, rather than 

 as averages for any particular district. From the amounts of feed 

 consumed and labor required annually, one can readily compute the 

 cost of these major items under his own conditions. The other costs do 

 not vary as widely from year to year, and further, make up only one- 

 fourth or less of the total gross cost. Where no figures are given for 

 certain items, they were not reported, or the costs are included under 

 other expenses. 



Annual cost of keeping dairy cows 



iU. S. D. A. Bui. 923, Bain, Posson, and Hotis. 



Ohio Bui. 334, Grady and Bugby. 



*Wis. Bui. 345, MoNall and Mitchell. 



Minn. Bui. 173, Peck and Boss. 



Iowa Bui. 197, Munger. 



U. S. D. A. Bui. 972, Bain, Braun, and Gannon. 



It will be noted at once that the average production of milk in these 

 herds was over 6,000 Ibs. a year in only one instance, and this inves- 

 tigation was carried on with members of a cow-testing association, whose 

 cows were undoubtedly better producers than the average of the district. 

 The estimated expenses for the various items vary quite widely, depending 

 not only on local conditions, but also on the methods of accounting and 



