Herd Improvement Association and individual farmers. However, the prob- 

 lem of a replacement program is related to many factors peculiar to the in- 

 dividual farm. The relative prices of young stock, dairy replacements, beef, 

 and milk are important when considering the profitability of purchasing 

 versus raising replacements. Many of these factors are now being con- 

 sidered in order to provide New Hampshire dairymen with a complete anal- 

 ysis of the opportunities to increase farm income through selling or pur- 

 chasing dairy replacements. 



W. F. Henry 



Marketing Mixed Grain Feed 



Mixed grain feed is the principal cash cost in poultry and dairy pro- 

 duction. In addition, feeding constitutes a major share of chore time on 

 poultry farms. Effecting economies in the distribution of grain feeds and in 

 farm feeding practices assume increasing significance in times of declining 

 farm prices and surplus production. 



It is apparent from data obtained from feed dealers that distribution 

 costs can be reduced, even with the present market arrangements. This can 

 be accomplished through such things as rearrangement of delivery routes, 

 use of labor-saving equipment, and minimization of route delays. Increased 

 cooperation between dealers and farmers could eliminate many delays and 

 inefficiencies on the farm. 



Bulk feed, while clearly advantageous to many farmers, poses difficult 

 cost problems for many dealers. Duplicate plant facilities and delivery 

 equipment are often involved. The "potential market" for bulk feed varies 

 from area to area and in accordance with such factors as farm unit size, 

 driveway conditions, company policies, and frequency of delivery. Its ex- 

 pansion is also limited by demonstrated economies in railroad vs. long-haul 

 truck costs. 



Feeding grain to dairy cattle constitutes a minor share of chore time, 

 but any savings would come at a period of the day when demands upon 

 worker's time are heavy. Bulk feed might effect minor time savings. Me- 

 chanical feeding of grain to dairy cattle is just progressing beyond the ex- 

 perimental stage and is not yet used in New Hampshire. 



Significant operating economies can be achieved by poultrymen 

 through use of auxiliary equipment in flock feeding. For example, where 

 feed rooms were located on each floor but feed was carried to pens in pails, 

 2.7 man minutes daily were required to feed 100 layers. Use of bulk feed 

 bins spouting into automatic feeders made it possible to cut daily feeding 

 time to 0.5 minutes per 100 layers. Bulk handling of feed as such may not 

 greatly reduce the labor required in feeding. The installation of feeding 

 equipment results in more significant time savings than a change to bulk 

 handling. 



However, bulk handling in most cases has certain advantages that 

 should be considered : 



1. The cost of feed in bulk, including bin cost, is lower than in bags. 



2. Lifting of feed is reduced or eliminated. 



3. Bulk handling can be combined with automatic or carrier feeding 

 with considerable ease and with significant time savings resulting. 



G. B. Rogers 



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