APPENDIX E 245 



Yet only one farmer out of 25 was able to approximate the amount 

 produced, and not one was able to even hazard a guess at his pro- 

 duction cost. Which represents the main distinction between the 

 "milk business" and simply " shipping milk." 



To PRODUCE A QUART OF MILK COST, on the average, 3.5c. (14.0c. 

 per gallon the year through.) 



THE AVERAGE SELLING PRICE PER QUART was 3.8c. (15. 2c per 

 gallon the year through.) 



It will be at once observed how small is the margin of profit from 

 the sale of milk alone. Nevertheless, of all the 25 dairymen, only 5 

 were actually losing money, and the value of calves and manure 

 produced redeemed 3 of these to the extent of just about breaking 

 even. 



Although 20 herds were making some money, very few were 

 making their owners rich or even adequately compensating them 

 for trials and tribulations undergone. The average dairyman 

 ended the year about $330 ahead a little less than a dollar a day 

 profit from the sale or utilization of both milk and calves. To this 

 may be added the value of manure produced by each cow during 

 the year. 



AVERAGE PROFIT PER cow PER YEAR: From milk and calves sold 

 or utilized, this profit was $17. 



WHAT is WRONG WITH THE MILK BUSINESS? 



THE LAWS were attacked by 12 farmers, mainly on the grounds 

 that they were written from a citified viewpoint and likewise en- 

 forced; that they raised expenses without raising prices; and that 

 they were inefficiently administered. 



INADEQUATE PRICES had six adherents. Most of these took the 

 stand that if the towns want better milk they must pay better 

 prices. They called attention to the fact that the price of feeds, 

 fertilizer and labor has almost doubled during the last decade and 

 that there has been no corresponding increase in the price of dairy 

 products. 



THE MIDDLEMAN was attacked by only two of the 25. 



WHAT SUGGESTIONS HAVE YOU TO MAKE THINGS BETTER? An- 

 swers on this point were vague and varied. Those who held legisla- 

 tion at fault wanted "better laws;" those who complained of "poor 

 prices" wanted "better prices;" and the two who were against the 



