May, 1933] Efficiency Studies in Dairy Farming 19 



consideration to adjusting the grain ration to the quality of the rough- 

 age, and a few seemed to ignore the differences in costs of rations. 



A number failed to check their feeding practices systematically. One 

 man who thought he was feeding on the basis of one to 3.5 was ac- 

 tually feeding at the rate of one pound of grain to 2.8 pounds of milk, 

 and within the herd his estimates were even more incorrect. 



The amount of grain to feed cows under different conditions is a 

 complicated problem. The solution on the individual fann is a chal- 

 lenge to the farmer's highest ability. Since the dairyman has the farm, 

 the cows, and his own time, and since grain in New England is mostly 

 out-of-pocket expense, he should be guided in his grain feeding by 

 the profit. Will the last pound of grain result in enough more pro- 

 duction to pay for it? 



While this marginal method of analysis is simple when dealing with 

 many enterprises, its application to dairy cow feeding requires accu- 

 rate judgment and skill. In the region of this investigation it is be- 

 lieved that all daiiymen need to study their feeding problems more 

 carefully, and that fully half of them need to reorganize their feed- 

 ing practices entirely. 



Skill 



In making regular visits to the fanns, one could not fail to note 

 great differences in the operators' interest in and skill with cows. 

 These variations were reflected in great differences in the milk pro- 

 duction program. As previously noted the quality of the cows, the 

 amount of grain, the extent and quality of pastures, and the quality 

 of roughage are all important in securing good milk production per 

 cow; but the skill with which these factors are combined is after all 

 the essential factor leading toward high milk production. 



The skilled and interested dairymen had tended to build better 

 herds. They had a better knowledge of feeding practices and adjusted 

 grain feeding more intelligently to the economic requirements of the 

 individual cows. They supplemented pasture in a more timely and 

 intelligent manner. They had judgment in forestalling such troubles 

 as "going off feed" or udder ailments. They were more regular in 

 feeding and milking and took better care of the cows. 



VARIATIONS IN LIVESTOCK SALES 



The average dairyman in the wholesale areas of New Hampshire, 

 in addition to his milk production also grows livestock for replacement 

 and for sale. The calves are a joint product of the milk enterprise; 

 but since replacements are needed regularly, the growing of at least 

 a limited number of heifers is an integral part of the dairy industry, 

 and represents a real cost in the production of milk. 



The method and skill used in growing heifers, handling cows, and 

 moving the older animals on without great depreciation are very im- 

 portant in the success of the individual dairy farm. The more inten- 

 sive dairymen in southern New England find it to their advantage to 

 purchase cows at their prime and keep them for only two or three 

 lactation periods. Thus, the operators in the area studied have an 

 opportunity to sell cows after three or four years of production in the 

 herd. A few of the dairymen in this study have taken advantage of 



