THE BUSINESS OF DAIRYING 



INTRODUCTION 



THE FARMER AS A BUSINESS MAN: HIS 

 FAILURES AND OPPORTUNITIES 



IN these days of sharp competition, it is necessary 

 for the dairy farmer to make a close study of his 

 business if he is to succeed. Like the manufacturer, 

 he must know exactly what his products cost him 

 and determine the sources of his profits and 

 losses. In fact, he should make a business proposi- 

 tion of the whole farm. We can point to one here 

 and there who has followed this plan with wonder- 

 ful success, but the condition of the dairy industry, 

 as seen on the average farm, points to the need of 

 better methods and a more definite knowledge of the 

 business. In no department connected with the 

 farm is there more need for absolute data than in 

 the dairy. 



Investigations of the financial condition of pro- 

 gressive and unprogressive dairymen indicate that 

 there is no business which shows a greater range of 

 profit than that of dairy farming. There is need of 

 more careful business methods in the selection and 

 breeding of dairy cows ; keeping records of the yield 



