May, 1933] Efficiency Studies in Dairy Farming 23 



the herd was maintained and in addition returns of about $200 over 

 feed cost were realized in growing heifers. 



In considering this farm and the skill of the operator, the present 

 two-man organization with about 38 cows and 38 young cattle is 

 probably a more satisfactory and profitable organization than a three- 

 man farm with more cows and fewer heifers. 



Another fann illustrates a different situation. The 30 cows and six 

 young stock consume all the available pasturage and roughage. The 

 available help could handle more young stock had there been more 

 pasturage and roughage. Perhaps a young man might cut hay on 

 other farms and thus carry more young stock, or he might reduce his 

 operations to a one-man organization keeping 20 cows and 15 to 20 

 young stock. But since the operator is advanced in years, the present 

 organization meets the situation satisfactorily. 



Thus, tlie organization of these dairy farms as to number of heifers 

 and cows can best be fitted to the particular farm and personnel. 

 Even then a change in the relation of milk and cow prices may upset 

 the most advantageous ratio of heifers to cows. It is to be noted that 

 the selling of mature animals leaves the herd with a high proportion 

 of young cows wuth resulting lower production per cow. Thus, shift- 

 ing of cows out of the herd at their prime is at the expense of milk 

 production. 



Herd Health 



Herd health was an important factor in returns from sales of live- 

 stock. Abortion was a problem in four herds, resulting not only in 

 the necessity of discarding more cows than usual but also of selling 

 at very low values. The county is practically free of tuberculosis, all 

 herds having been tested, but during the year there was a loss on two 

 farms in this study of 40 head. Since these condemned animals brought 

 nearly their inventory value, and the oj^erators were able to replace 

 them at approximately the indemnity received, the livestock returns 

 were not affected. 



Physical injuries especially to teats and udders, malnutrition, masti- 

 tis and pneumonia were responsible for losses on some faniis. 



On 20 of the 38 farms herd health was excellent, and there were no 

 serious losses due to either disease or accident. On the other 18 farms, 

 losses ranged from minor udder troubles which depreciated the value 

 of one or more cows, to serious losses in stock due to poor herd health 

 and sanitation. On five faraas, the health and condition of the herd 

 were poor. Of course, disease, accidents and other difficulties may 

 appear at any time in any herd, but it is evident that the men funda- 

 mentally interested in daiiying tend to have less serious trouble than 

 others. The more skilled men had some trouble with udders, but were 

 usually able to cure this without loss of cows. On a few fanns the 

 milking animals seem to be used up as fast as heifers can be grown 

 for replacements. 



Quality of Cows 



Since some men with good stock put their major efforts on milk 

 production and did not definitely plan to sell extra cows, the correla- 

 tion between quality of cows and livestock income is not marked. 



