30 



BULLETIN 501, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



The data in table XIV show the relation between the cost of keep- 

 ing cows of varying milk yield and the cost of the milk. The same 

 data are also sho\\ai in graphic form in figure 7. It will be noticed 

 that as milk yield increases there is also an increase in the feed cost 

 and in other cost items, but not in the same proportion. Cows yield- 

 ing less than 3,000 pomids produced milk at a cost of $3.57 per 

 hundred. Those yielding 5,001 to 6,000 pounds produced it at $2.10 

 per hmidred. Those yielding over 8,000 pounds produced it at 

 $1.70 per hundred. It is apparent, in so far as conclusions can be 

 draw^i from the records of these four herds, that the cost of producing 

 milk from low-yielding cows is very high and that this cost gradually 

 decreases with better cows. This decrease in cost is much greater 



»3.50 



•£. 



d 3.10 



o 



i 2.70 



O 



IL 







o 



(C 2.30 



ul 



a. 

 o 



"" 1.90 





\ 



















\ 





















\ 



















N 

























V. 





















■ -^ 





- 



YltLO OF MILK 

 PCR COW 



Z3456 Tea 



THOUSANDS 



Fig. 7.— 1101311011 between annual yield per cow and cost per 100 pounds of milk on the four farms. 



between the very poor cow and the cow of medium quality than it is 

 between the medium cow and the good cow. For instance, milk from 

 cows producing from 3,001 to 4,000 pounds of milk per year costs 98 

 cents less per hundred pounds than milk from cows producing less 

 than 3,000 poimds, while milk from cows producing over 8,000 pounds 

 costs but 9 cents less per hundred than milk from cows producing 

 from 7,001 to 8,000 pounds. The four herds in question were of 

 mixed breeds, with Jerseys predominating. In the case of higher 

 producing herds, or if returns were figured in terms of butter fat 

 rather than pounds of milk, different results might be expected. 

 Often cows of only moderate production in pounds of milk yield 

 good returns by reason of a high percentage of butterfat. 



