128 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



The average milk per acre produced in this demonstra- 

 tion for six years was 3,888 pounds containing 136 pounds 

 of fat; this was nearly twice the amount produced on the 

 best strictly dairy farms in Northern Illinois and nearly four 

 times the amount produced on the poorer farms where no 

 young stock was raised. An investigation was made of the 

 production of milk per acre on some of the strictly dairy 

 farms in Northeastern Illinois. The highest yield found was 

 2,145 pounds milk per acre, the second highest was 1,412 

 pounds, the lowest 994 pounds, and the average was 1,402 

 pounds. Of course, horses were kept on these farms, but 

 from $400 to $1,500 worth of feed was purchased which 

 would make up for the feed consumed by the horses. 



Records Maintained for Six Years. 



This average of milk produced per acre might not be 

 remarkable nor mean much for one year, but when it is 

 maintained for six years under all the varying conditions of 

 the herd, and under the still greater differences in the year- 

 ly amount of feed produced, it makes a reliable, balanced 

 and established showing. We hear a great deal about one 

 splendid cow or one good year that might come to any dairy- 

 man and any herd. But in this period of six years the herd 

 was subject to all the ups and downs, fortunes and misfor- 

 tunes that would naturally come to any farm herd. It was 

 also subject to all the mistakes that might be made by any 

 good dairy farmer, and to all the high and low crop yields 

 due to weather and field conditions. In fact, insect injury 

 to corn during the six years was decidedly more than need 

 be on the ordinary dairy farms. 



ONE HUNDRED SEVENTY POUNDS BUTTER PER ACRE. 



This demonstration was to show production of milk per acre 

 where cows were fed alfalfa, corn silage, and corn grain, all farm 

 grown feeds. The average milk production per acre for six years 

 was 3,888 lbs., containing 136 lbs. fat (equivalent to 170 lbs. butter). 

 This is nearly twice the amount produced on some of the best dairy 

 farms in Northern Illinois. 



