COST OF REARING A DAIRY COW. 



67 



production and cost of milk, and not maintained as a herd for economic 

 dairying. At tlie same time, it has been our object to keep only prof- 

 itable milk producers. The grade cows were bred to pure-bred bulls, and 

 only those heifers raised wliich gave promise of developing into satisfac- 

 tory dairy cows. In making the following tabulation the costs of the 

 various feeds were: hay .|10, silage $4.50, green feed $3.50 and grain 

 mixtures $32 a ton. The value placed upon the milk and calf meal was 

 the same as stated in the first part of this bulletin. Pasturage was charged 

 at 25 cents a week for the first summer, and 30 cents for the second sum- 

 mer. In a few cases the animals, for some reason, did not go to pasture 

 for one summer, but were soiled, which resulted in a higher food cost. 

 The hay was charged at a price approximating cost, rather than at market 

 value. For the sake of comparison it was thought best to determine the 

 food cost at two j^ears of age in each case, rather than at time of calving 

 which, of course, varied. The calves were raised in different years, and 

 primarily to keep up the herd, hence in some cases, especially if the ani- 

 mals were at pasture, we did not have the live weight when the animals 

 were exactly two years old. 



1 Eight hundred five days. 



' Seven hundred eighty-six days. 



' Eight hundred thirteen days. High cost due to soiling one season. 



* Seven hundred ninety days. 



^ Eight hundred fifty-seven days. Calf purchased when tlu'ee months old; food record for 

 two years from date of purchase. 

 5 Seven hundred eighty-two days. 

 ' Seven hundred seventy days. 



* Eight hundred eighty-four days. 



' High cost due to soiling one season. 

 '" Seven hundred sixteen days. 

 11 Six hundred eighteen days, last weight. 



