Types and Market Classes op Live Stock 211 



milked, and double-nursing herds; instead, the returns, including 

 profits, from the sale of milk have been used to lower the cost of the 

 calf. Results based on such a method of cost accounting are some- 

 what misleading. Dairying was conducted at cost, the profits being 

 credited to beef production. 



The greatest item of expense in raising a calf to weaning time, 

 except in the dual-purpose group, was the cow charge, or net cost of 

 keeping a cow a year. The net cost of maintaining a cow varied 

 greatly, depending largely upon the sale of milk products from cows 

 that were milked. It was therefore lowest in the dual-purpose group. 



The cost of the calf at weaning time was lowest in the double- 

 nursing group. While the cow charge was lowest in the dual-purpose 

 group, the addition of the cost of feed and labor for the skim-milk 

 calves made the cost of the calf somewhat greater than in the double- 

 nursing group. 



The cost of the calf at one year was lowest in the double-nursing 

 group. 



The calves in the dual-purpose group, although poorest in merit 

 and value, ranked third in profit. 



The calves in the double-nursing group were relatively of good 

 quality and showed the greatest profit. 



The data obtained indicate that the keeping of cattle for beef 

 purposes alone is adapted to the more extensive types of farming, 

 while the keeping of cattle primarily for beef purposes, but where an 

 income is also obtained from milk products, is better adapted to the 

 more intensive types of farming. 



The averages would seem to indicate that profits from raising 

 calves on corn-belt farms are very small. However, these facts must 

 be taken into consideration: 



1. Good returns were obtained for a large quantity of roughage 

 which, had it not been utilized by live stock, would have been waste. 



2. A home market was provided for saleable crops. 



3. On many farms a large acreage suitable to pasture only was 

 utilized. 



4. Profitable employment was provided for a season of the year 

 when labor otherwise might have been idle. 



5. A return was obtained for capital invested in equipment which, 

 in many instances, had it not been utilized by live stock, would have 

 returned nothing. 



6. When the farmer merely breaks even he has at least made 6 

 per cent on the money invested in the cattle business. 



