THE COST OF RAISING A DAIRY COW. 



17 



Initial value of the calf. — The cost of bull service is all charged 

 against the cows and is an item in the cost of milk production. 

 However, a calf worth raising has a value at birth, and in a well- 

 managed herd of high-grade or pure-bred cattle the calves at birth 

 should be of enough value to offset the cost of maintaining the 

 herd bulls. In the Brigham herd the grade calves to be raised are 

 valued at $5 each and the pure breds at from $10 to $20 each. The 

 average initial value for the 1909 group of calves is $7 per head. 



j-to.oo 



35. OO 



3 GOO 



25. OO 



/5.00 



/COO 



5.0O 



jtwoo 



35. OO 



30.00 



25. OO 



2O.O0 



/5.00 



/O OO 



5.00 



/=7/?ST r<E/\/?. 



SECO/VO YEAR. 



TOTA/L COST 



Pig. 6. — Chart showing a comparison of the items of cost in raising a heifer the first 

 year, second year, and for the whole period of growth (1909 group). 



This initial value, added to the net cost of raising, makes the total 

 net cost of producing the heifer the first year $39.95. In other words, 

 these 1909 heifers at 1 year of age must be valued at $40 per head 

 to pay production expenses only. The cost the second year, though 

 only slightly more than half that of the first year, makes the 2-year- 

 old heifer represent $61.11. 



The relative importance of the various items which make up the 

 cost of a 2-year-old heifer is shown clearly in figure 6. 



