THE COST OF THE RATION III 



Both of the rations approximate the standard for 

 dairy cows, and both are equally good since they 

 are productive of a good milk yield. Yet when com- 

 pared from the standpoint of cost there is a differ- 

 ence of 10.09 cents. It might seem a matter of 

 small consequence for a single day and a single cow, 

 but for a winter feeding period of seven months and 

 40 cows in a herd it assumes a new importance. 

 This is seen when the simple calculation is made. 

 We have 



210 days X 4 cows X 10.09 cents = $847.50 

 Thus the grain ration, which actually produced 



15.4 pounds less milk for each 100 pounds of dry 

 matter, if used instead of the silage ration, provided 

 it was available, would mean a net cost of nearly 

 $850 more than the other. This amount is sufficient 

 to make this dairy venture either a losing or a profit- 

 able proposition. 



Two Rations for Horses Compared. A common 

 ration for horses is timothy hay and oats. When 

 doing severe work 10 pounds of hay and 14 pounds 

 of oats are commonly recommended and used. At 

 prevailing prices of $16 a ton for hay and 56 cents a 

 bushel for oats, the daily cost would be : 

 (10 X ($16 -f- 2,000) ) + (14 X (.56 ~- 32) ) = 

 32.5 cents 



At the prices just quoted the daily cost for feed- 

 ing a medium-sized horse at hard work would be 



32.5 cents a day. The practical question to ask is 

 this : Is it possible to substitute some other feed or 

 feeds for the more expensive oats and thus reduce 

 the daily cost? It is. From many tests made many 



