CHAPTER XXIII 

 MILK PRODUCTION 



DAIRY farming differs from other kinds of farming devoted 

 to live-stock production, because the product as well as the 

 animals producing it must be considered. Milk, butter and 

 cheese will always be in great demand for they are almost 

 indispensable foods. As the population of town and city 

 increases the demand, the output of these products is likely 

 to increase also. Since a steady market seems to be assured, 

 the question of whether or not to produce milk for sale will 

 depend upon other factors; of these the two most important 

 are a means of disposing of the products, and a means of 

 securing and utilizing labor. 



Market and shipping facilities. Milk and cream are 

 highly perishable products; therefore, a location close to 

 shipping points or to creameries is a first essential to success. 

 On farms remote from a means of disposal the production of 

 milk for sale is not a feasible farm enterprise. 



Labor. Labor is an important item in milk production. 

 Although it is not fully employed it must be regular. It 

 has been estimated that one man's labor is required for each 

 twelve to fourteen cows. The size of the herd must depend 

 therefore upon the help available. Since labor in milk pro- 

 duction is only partly employed each day, and less is 

 required in summer than in winter, some provision must be 

 made to keep it fully employed. 



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