AN ECONOMIC STUDY OF DAIRYING 315 



first time during the year. The average value at the time of freshening 

 was $57 a head. About one cow was purchased or raised for each five 

 kept. But as the herds are increasing in size, and as some cows are sold 

 for production, only one cow of each seven or eight is actually replaced 

 each year. The estimates of 131 dairymen as to the time cows remained 

 in the herd after first freshening averaged 7.5 years. 



Of the cows disposed of, 208 were slaughtered or sold for slaughter on 

 86 farms, and 117 were sold for breeding and production on 42 farms. The 

 average price received for the former was $38, for the latter $54, a head. 



FlG. 55. GOING TO THE BUTCHER 



The figures indicate that about two-thirds of the cows disposed of are 

 slaughtered or sold for slaughter, and that the remaining third go into 

 other herds to be milked. But farmers do not know exactly where the 

 cows they sell go. The relatively low price of those sold for production 

 suggests that probably some that went to the block have been included 

 in this group. 



During the year 38 farms lost 55 cows by death or accident. Of these 

 cows, 49 died, 4 were killed on the railroad, and 2 were killed by lightning. 

 This is 2.7 per cent of the average number of cows. Receipts from the 

 sales of hides and insurance for cows killed amounted to $7.82 per cow lost. 



The average price of all cows slaughtered and sold was $44 a head. 

 This is $21 a head less than the average value of cows. The depreciation 



