June, 1940] Farm Management in Colebrook 17 



On the 38 farms there was an average of .39 heifers per cow which 

 is not in excess of the needs of replacements of present herds. Only 

 12 operators had more than .5 heifers per cow and only a few opera- 

 ators were selling many producing dairy cows. On the whole, the op- 

 erators were producing milk rather than cows in spite of the low milk 

 prices. Counting sales, purchases, and differences in inventory at 

 the beginning and end ot the year, the net gain from livestock av- 

 eraged $182 per farm. Only five farms had a net increase of live- 

 stock, including sales, of over $400. Eight operators had a net 

 livestock increase amounting to over $20 per cow and the highest 

 was $40.50 per cow. 



One is well aware that a high type of dairying is required in the 

 production and sale of good dairy cows. The operators who have 

 good foundation stock, have abundance of roughage and pasture, 

 and are qualified by skill should consider the production and sale of 

 cows. For them, the combination of milk and cows is likely to be 

 more profitable than milk production. Such a plan usually involves 

 little if any additional labor. The quality of the cows must be good 

 and some special skill is required in growing out heifers and in mar- 

 keting them. 



One man with an average of 10.6 cows and 6.5 heifers had a net 

 increase of $38.90 in livestock per cow, while another man with an 

 average of 11.7 cows and 9.0 heifers had a net increase of only $4.77 

 per cow. 



The first operator sold two good cows for $80 each and one 

 discard at $45 while the second man sold several discards for $10 

 and $15 each. On several farms cows are used up so rapidly that a 

 large number of heifers must be raised for replacements. In spite of 

 a heavy expense in growing out many heifers there was very little 

 income from livestock sales. 



Under these conditions the replacements represent such a heavy 

 cost that dairying cannot be expected to furnish an adequate income 

 to the operator. 



Some of this cost was due to careless crowding of stock in stables 

 and the consequent impairment of teats and udders through me- 

 chanical injury. Contagious abortion was a factor in a few instances. 



Seasonal Milk Production 



The dairy industry is interested in adjusting seasonal supplies to 

 seasonal demand for fluid milk. From time to time the marketing 

 cooperatives have devised basic ratings and other plans with the in- 

 tent of regulating the supplies of milk coming to the large markets. 



Under the base rating plan, each producer is given a base which 

 is usually assigned to him according to his deliveries in a given pe- 

 riod in the previous year. In setting up the plan, the intention is 

 that the total basic ratings will approximately ec|ual the fluid milk 

 sales in the market. The producer receives a fluid milk price for 

 that portion of his deliveries falling within his rating, and a Class 

 two price for all milk in excess of the rating. 



The objective has been to insure and encourage sufficient supplies 

 at all times in relation to demand at normal prices, but to control the 



