60 N. H. Agr. Experiment Station [Bulletin 260 



Marketing- Milk* 



Closely related to rates of production are the questions of quality 

 and price of the product. Price depends on a market. Quality of prod- 

 uct tends to be reflected in price. New England stays in the dairy 

 business in contrast to beef production because of nearby markets for 

 a bulky perishable i)roduct in the form of whole milk. The market for 

 milk becomes more exacting in its demands and continually requires 

 a better product. There are worth-while premiums to be obtained for 

 low bacteria counts, especially in summer, and for Grade A producers. 



Table 50 — Avcrof/e net price of niiJlc hif monthft:-* 

 (Tenth zone, 10 year average, April 1920 to March 1929.) 



Net Per cent of 



Month. price. yearly average. 



April . . . . 

 May . . . . 

 June . . . . 

 July . . . . 

 August . . 

 September 



Average for summer period 



October 



November 



December 



January 



February 



March . . 



Average for winter period 

 •Average for 13 months . . 



The Boston market demands at least 3.35 per cent fat in milk, which 

 is also a quality factor and requires watching. The market pays for 

 extra fat in the milk, but usually at a lower i)rice per pound. Prices 

 are figured from a fat content of 3.7 per cent for a base and dealers 

 may discriminate against producers of low fat milk. 



Market prices also tend to be higher during the fall and winter 

 months than in spring and summer (Table 50). Various rating .systems 

 may exact appreciable penalties for a distribution of production 

 widely differing from the market requirements. 



* These tables and discussions ha\e to do with conditions as they were in 

 1929 under the "Modified Surplus I'lan." They are not ap])iical)le to tlie "Uating 

 Plan" whcih has recently gone into effect and which is consequently in an ex- 

 perimental stage so far as this region is concerned. 



• 



** Prices furnislicd by tlie New England Milk Producers' Association, Bos- 

 ton, Mass., W. II. Bronson, Statistician. 



