174 BEEF PRODUCTION 



should rest in the land and not in its proximity to some 

 city, town, or village, or as has been mentioned before, 

 its value must not consist in expensive improvements 

 that do not directly aid in cheapening the cost of pro- 

 ducing cattle. 



Suppose, as an example, we assume the land to be 

 worth $100 per acre and sufficiently fertile and so handled 

 that it produces a calf to 6 months of age, including the 

 keep of the dam, to each two acres. It would seem 

 reasonable to charge 5 per cent on the investment in 

 lands and 7 per cent interest on cattle. 

 ~~ Another item which should receive some explanation 

 is that of the grade of calves produced. It is assumed 

 that only calves possessing a high percentage of beef 

 blood are to be produced and that these calves possess 

 the type and characteristics of well-bred beef calves. 

 C alves ,of_ such breeding and permitted to nurse their 

 dams should weigh from 400 to 450 pounds at six months 

 of age. It is believed that a herd of cows properly 

 liandled'should produce 85 per cent of calves annually, 

 or to produce one calf would require 1.18 cows. Such 

 cows, would be valued at about $40 each. A suitable 

 bull would cost approximately $150 and serve twenty- 

 five cows. 



With these facts known it is possible to make the 

 following itemized statement, which is intended to show 

 the cost of production per calf : 



Five per cent interest on investment in two acres of 

 $100 land and accompanying equipment $10.00 



Seven per cent interest on investment in 1.18 cows 



^ at $40 3.90 



Seven per cent interest on investment in one twenty- 

 fifth of a $150 bull 42 



Cost of production of winter feed and pasture, exclu- 

 sive of above charges 4 . 00 



Taxes and insurance on land and cattle, including 



necessary fencing repairs 3 . 00 



Annual depreciation on 1.18 cows at $2.00 2.36 



