2 BULLETIlSr 972, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



In September, 1919, the work was resumed and records were obtained 

 for the second year. Thus there was an interval of one year between 

 the two years in which the studies were made. 



Although the figures obtained show what was required to produce 

 milk for the Omaha market under the system of dairy management 

 found in the section studied, and probably approximate the require- 

 ments in similar sections, they, of course, do not apply to dairying 

 in sections where different conditions and methods of management 

 prevail. 



METHODS OF OBTAINING DATA. 



The figures reported are based on actual records obtained by 

 regular monthly visits of 24 hours" each to 8 farms for two entire 

 years and to 22 other farms for one entire year. 



At the beginning and end of each year the field agent took an 

 inventory of the dairy buildings, livestock, and equipment used in 

 the care of the herd and its products. On his regular monthly visit 

 at each farm the field agent, with watch in hand, noted and recorded 

 the exact minute each labor operation on the dairy was begun and 

 ended. An equally careful record was obtained of the kind, quantity, 

 cost, and description of each feed fed. The quantity of milk sold 

 and receipts each month were obtained. In addition the milk used 

 by the proprietor and his help or fed to calves was measured or 

 weighed on the montlily visit and used as a basis for determining 

 the quantity kept on the farm during the month. 



The dairymen kept itemized accounts of expenses incurred between 

 monthly visits and reported these items to the field agent. Monthly 

 records were kept of the purchase or sale of cows, calves, liides, the 

 cost of outside bull service, and other miscellaneous information. 

 Accurate records of calves born and first-hand information on the 

 condition and methods of handling manure were collected system- 

 atically. 



The records of all the herds for each month made it possible to 

 obtain representative data for each month, season, and year. Rec- 

 ords were obtained the second year as a check on the first year's 

 work and to increase the quantity of data for study. 



INFLUENCE OF SEASONS ON COST FACTORS. 



The results have been reported separately for the winter and 

 summer seasons because the season of the year may have a marked 

 influence on the principal factors of cost. The months from Novem- 

 ber to April, inclusive, are considered as the winter season and the 

 months from May to October, inclusive, as the summer season. 



The various tables are based upon figures obtained during the 

 two-year study, and the weighted averages of these records were 



