PART V PRODUCTS 



CHAPTER I 



YIELD OF MILK AND COST OF PRODUC- 

 TION 



ACCORDING to the United States census taken in 

 1900, the average yield of milk per cow was 3,646 

 pounds, and butter 155 pounds. This amount is too 

 low to afford the dairymen much profit. The rec- 

 ords indicate, further, that many dairymen whose 

 herds are below the average in production must be 

 keeping cows at a loss. As a matter of business, 

 then, and a condition essential to best results, every 

 dairyman should study the individuality of his cows, 

 set a standard and maintain it by promptly dispos- 

 ing of the animals which fail to attain it, unless he 

 has reason to believe that the animal will make a 

 better record in the future. 



When the standard is reached, it should be gradu- 

 ally but persistently raised. This can be done by 

 keeping a sufficient record of the quantity and qual- 

 ity of the milk product, knowing approximately the 

 cost of production, and systematically weeding out 

 the herd. Six thousand pounds of 4 per cent, milk 

 per cow is a paying yield in most localities, and 

 many grade herds average much higher than this. 



