Y L /. ) ' 

 2 BULLETIN" 41.3, U. S. DEI^AIrTMENT OF AGEICULTTTRE. 



The fact that the average 6f the 'estitaates for each class remained 

 practically constant after the first thirty rephes had been averaged 

 is some evidence as to the accuracy of the figures. The estimates 

 secured by correspondence agree very closely with those secured 

 through personal visits. While figures concerning the values of 

 dairy cows and farm work horses were obtained from nearly every 

 unportant agricultural district in the United States, most of the esti- 

 mates were secured from New York, Pennsylvania, and the North 

 Central States. In this work appreciation and depreciation were 

 based on age only. In order to eliminate everything except age, the 

 animal was assumed to be in perfect health and to have a fixed value 

 at a certain age. 



Four breeds of dairy cattle, Holstein, Guernsey, Jersey, and Ayr- 

 shire, were included in these investigations. No attempt was made 

 to find the actual average value of animals belonging to any breed. 

 Arbitrary values were assumed for a certain fixed age, merely to get 

 a starting point from v>rhich to work. Thus for each breed estioiates 

 were based on four classes of 3-year-olds, namely, the $80 grade 

 cow, the $100 grade, the $200 purebred, and the $300 purebred. If 

 the cow was assumed to be with calf at 3 years of age, she was con- 

 sidered to have reached the same stage of pregnancy each succeeding 

 year. In the case of purebred stock changes in the advanced registry 

 of the cow herself, or of other animals related to her, were not con- 

 sidered in estimating values. 



The farm work horse was assumed to have a maximum value of 

 $250 when m his prime, which is a fair price for very good farm 

 horses. Brood mares were excluded, as their value is not necessarily 

 the same as that of animals kept for work only. 



In so far as age affects values the tables presented in the bulletin 

 should be helpful in buying and selling dairy cows and farm work 

 horses, and in taking inventories. No attempt has been made to 

 compare breeds. In fact, it is beheved that none of the figures can 

 be interpreted in such a way as to favor any particular breed, « 



INFLUENCE OF AGE ON VALUE OF COWS. 



HOLSTEIN. 



Table I shows the influence of age on the value of four classes of 

 Holstein cows worth per head $80, $100, $200, and $300, respec- 

 tively, at 3 years of age. (See fig. 1.) For each class the esti- 

 mates are tabulated separately for the North Central States, the 

 Northeastern States, and the United States, aU sections., Accord- 

 ino; to these estimates Holstein cows of all classes reach their maxi- 

 mum money value at 6 years of age. The values do not vary 



