COST OF FEEDING DAIRY COWS 



197 



cost of food to produce a gallon of milk is seen to vary 

 greatly, for 



Cows. 



Estimated cost 



per gall. Cows. 



21 produced milk at rod. or over 



7 9d. to lod. 



15 8d. 9d. 



Estimated cost 

 per gall. 



36 produced milk at yd. to 8d. 

 42 6d. 7d. 



83 less than 6d. 



The cost of producing milk per gallon is naturally 

 much less in the summer than in the winter months. 

 If the cows are getting nothing more than pasture 

 grass, the cost may be reduced to about one-half that 

 in the winter months. If concentrated foods are 

 required in addition to grass, the cost will be increased 

 to two-thirds or even three-quarters that of winter milk. 



The above figures show the necessity of selection in 

 the dairy herd, if milk is to be produced economically. 



Cost of Keeping Dairy Cows. 



This varies according to the time of year the cows 

 calve. E.g. : 

 Approximate Cost per Annum of Keeping a Cow. 



March Calver. 



Twenty-two weeks' grazing in summer, May to 



October i^ acres, at ^i, 55. 

 Bombay cake fed while on grass 2 Ibs. per day = 3 cwts 



at ^4, 155. per ton .... 

 Cake and meals during usual milking period 6| cwts 



at ,7 per ton .... 



Oat straw (part long, part chopped), i ton, at i, 55 



produced on the farm (consuming value) . 

 Hay, i ton, at 2 per ton (consuming value) . 

 Roots, 5 tons, at gs. per ton (consuming value) 



TOTAL COST OF FOOD 

 Attendance, at aver, of gd. per week . 

 Vet., say 55. ..... 



12 12 3 



Risk may be put at ^i to i t ios., and depreciation would 

 have to be considered in some cases. 



