16 University of New Hampshire [Sta. Bull. 322 



this average, an additional 89 cows could be supported, as far as 

 roughage is concerned. Much of this difference in yields is due to 

 the management of the land over a period of years. 



The yields of hay averaged 1.4 tons per acre but varied from .7 to 

 2.4 tons. On some of the farms, especially those with low average 

 yields, certain fields produced less than half a ton per acre. These 

 are generall}- the fields that have not been reseeded or mowed for 

 several years. 



The operators on farms with low livestock-tillage ratios are 

 greatly handicapped, and the process of building up the yields is 

 likely to cover a period of low income. However, as long as the 

 individual is operating that farm he is handicapped anywa}^ and 

 there are advantages in a definite and aggressive program of action. 

 This action program may call for more livestock, more seeding 

 down, some commercial fertilizer in connection with the rotation, 

 and importing hay harvested on abandoned farms. Thus, if the op- 

 erator on a farm which normally could carry 20 cows can find a 

 means of providing roughage for that numl^er for a few years, the 

 farm will be built up to carry the normal amount of livestock. The 

 purchase of hay and the application of fertilizer to hay and pasture 

 lands may be large during this initial period and, unless milk can 

 be sold advantageously, such an undertaking as described above is 

 a questionable practice. It not only involves expense and labor but 

 a long period of waiting for production. 



Net Increase in Dairy Cattle 



The process of maintaining- the dair}- herd is an essential part of 

 milk production. Heifer calves are available for development into 

 producing cows and the extent of this "cow production" is a prob- 

 lem of management to be solved on the individual farm in the liglit 

 of such factors as the roughage and pasture available, tlie number of 

 cows that may be conveniently handled, the price of milk, and op- 

 portunity of disposing of cows or heifers to advantage. There is a 

 rather wide variation of practices and alternatives open tn the in- 

 dividual farmer. 



H roughage is limited and milk is high in value, there is a ten- 

 dency to keep cows through the period of high i^roduction, growing 

 only such heifers as are needed to replace the old or worn-out cows. 

 About one-fifth of the cows will need to be replaced each year under 

 careful management. Unrler this system of keeping the individual 

 cows through most of their ])ro<luctive life the returns from live- 

 stock sales will be insignificant. 



P)Ut if roughage and pasture are available and tlie milk price is 

 low, the growing of more rejilacements and the sale of good cows 

 may be an important part of the dairy enterprise. I'nder these con- 

 ditions the o])erator is willing to sacrifice something in milk produc- 

 tion for greater sales of stock. ConsequentlN- he moves his animals 

 at the period of high sales values and maintains a herd made up 

 mostly <jf young heifers. He moves one-third to one-fourth of the 

 herd each year and must therefore raise a large number of heifers. 



