Distributing and Handling 

 Grain-Feeds in New Hampshire 



Improving the Efficiency of the Grain-Feeding 

 Operation on Poultry and Dairy Farms 



By 



George B. Rogers, Research Economist 



And 

 Harry C. Woodworth, Agricultural Economist* 



1 . Introduction 



OPPORTUNITIES exist for improvements in methods of receiving, 

 storing, and handling grain-feeds on New Hampshire farms. Such 

 changes can result in time savings in feeding, lessened physical effort, re- 

 duced feed wastage and/or feed costs, and, in some instances, in lowered 

 operating costs. Hence, as one phase of a broader project the New Hamp- 

 shire Experiment Station studied methods in use in this and other areas, 

 with a view to providing information helpful to farm operators in improving 

 the efficiency of the grain-feeding operation. Bulk feed was considered as 

 one of the alternatives. A research mimeograph dealt with bulk feed on 

 poultry farms. f 



Another phase of the project dealt with distribution practices, dis- 

 cussing such matters as the present structure of the grain-feeds industry in 

 the state, pricing and distributing methods, delivery route efficiency and 

 costs, and the relative merits of bagged and bulk feed from the dealer's 

 standpoint. Conclusions with respect to delivery route efficiency and costs 

 are in part dependent upon the facilities for receiving and storing grain- 

 feeds at the farm.$ Farm facilities are in turn closely linked with the de- 

 gree of efficiency which can be obtained in feeding time. 



The diversity of housing facilities and methods for receiving, storing, 

 and handling grain-feeds on New Hampshire farms, as well as variations in 

 unit size, suggests each farm must be treated as an individual case. To find 

 the optimum method, analysis of alternatives must be made in terms of ben- 

 efits and costs. 



This study was confined to poultry and dairy farms, inasmuch as these 

 types of farms predominate in the state. Any economies in feed handling 

 and distribution are likely to be extended first to users of poultry and dairy 

 feeds. Poultry and dairy farming account for about four-fifths of cash re- 



* Professor Woodworth originated this study and initiated much of the field work 

 prior to his death on September 18, 1953. 



t Woodworth, H. C. Handling Grain in Bulk on New Hampshire Poultry Farms, 

 N. H. Agr. Exp. Sta., Ag. Ec. Res. Mimeo. No. 11, Jan. 1, 1953. 



I Rogers, G. B., and H. C. Woodworth, N. H. Agr. Exp. Sta. Bui. No. 426 and 

 427, July, 1956. 



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