May, 1933] Efficiency Studies in Dairy Farming 51 



operators. They may definitely handicap tlie opportunities and abil- 

 ities of their children if they do not. 



Skill in Crop Production 



The management of tillage area to secure best returns from use of 

 land, power, fertilizer and man labor is not to be overlooked. Differ- 

 ences in cropping systems and in efficiency at harvest time have pre- 

 viously been noted, but in addition many details of management re- 

 ciuiring skill and knowledge of doing the right thing at the right time 

 account for differences in yield and in labor and material cost. 



For instance, delay in starting spring work probably resulted in 

 poorer stands of grass on several farms. Failure to use the best 

 adapted mixture of seed and to thoroughly fit the soil resulted in poor 

 stands of clover. Delay in cultivating corn probably cut the yields 

 in several instances. 



In skill in crop production, the 38 farmers were roughly classified as, 

 very skilled, 8; good, 11; fair, 13; and with little skill, 6. 



Ability to Plan 



Differences were extreme in ability to plan and to direct the farm 

 work. At one extreme were men who seemed to have an objective in 

 mind and who directed their efforts efficiently in that direction. Judg- 

 ment was used in the distribution of labor so that the most essential 

 things were done first. On the other hand, some men were drifting 

 along, were behind with their work and did not seem able to organize 

 labor to advantage in getting definite tasks done. However, a few 

 wlio usually seemed without definite plans were excellent oi-ganizers 

 when it came to a special job like haying. It would seem as if they 

 were lacking the ability to visualize and project the work over a per- 

 iod of time, but that the concrete definite task brought out certain 

 other abilities in organization. Probably the chief differences between 

 iudividuals in planning ability were clearness of objective, constant 

 ajiplication at the essential things and capacity to work effectively. 



Aggressiveness in Farming 



Individuals also differed considerably in the physical efforts which 

 they exerted in the operation of their farms. Wholly aside from vari- 

 ations due to age or health, there was a difference in the intensity 

 with which men projected the work. It is difficult to explain or to 

 acroi nt for all the difference. There was little urge for strenuous 

 efj'ort on the part of one or more who were secure financially and did 

 not have dependents, but most of the lack of drive was where the fi- 

 nancial neecl was great and where the well-being of the farm family 

 would be improvccl if the labor and other resources of the farm were 

 better directed so as to yield a higher net income. In a few cases, 

 the operator had probably come up through a self-sufficient agriculture 

 and had not adjusted himself to the requirements of modern dairying. 



Of the 38 operators, eight were classified as having a good knowledge 

 of agriculture, good ability in planning, very good skill with cows and 

 very good skill with crops. Seven of these were in the group with the 

 highest incomes, five in the group with the highest production per cow 

 and five with highest output per man. 



