FIFTIETH ANNUAL CONVENTION 21 



and not the rule when all the 64 associations were consid- 

 ered. 



In association B, where the pastures were poor, feed 

 cost was also greatest for the cows that freshened in the 

 fall, but these cows, as well as those that freshened in the 

 winter, were ahead in production of milk and butterfat and 

 in income over cost of feed. In income over cost of feed the 

 figures for association B (having the poor pastures) were 

 as follows: Fall freshening, $86.18; winter freshening, 

 $85.99 ; spring freshening, $82.02 ; and summer freshening, 

 $81.73. 



For association A the average income over cost of feed 

 was $85.59 and for association B it was $84.26. The fig- 

 ures do not prove that dairying is more profitable where 

 pastures are good, but they furnish some evidence that the 

 question of pasture should have weight in determining the 

 time of year when it will pay best to have cows freshen. 

 Labor, too, must be considered. 



On account of labor and miscellaneous expenses the 

 income over cost of feed is not all net profit in the dairy 

 business, but it is from the income over cost of feed that net 

 profit is obtained. So far as possible, the dairyman should 

 aim to have his cows freshen at the time of year that will 

 bring him the greatest net return,, That may or may not be 

 the date of freshening that gives the greatest income over 

 cost of feed. Income over cost of feed is only one of the 

 factors that give net profit, but it is one of the most import- 

 ant. Labor is also a very important factor, but cow-testing 

 records do not furnish data regarding labor costs. 



Income Above Feed Cost. 



According to Table 1 fall freshening ranks first in in- 

 come over cost of feed ; winter, second ; spring, third ; and 

 summer, fourth. There was not much difference, however, 

 between fall and winter freshening in this important re- 

 spect. For the four seasons the average income over cost 

 of feed for the 64 associations was as follows : Fall fresh- 

 ening, $76.65; winter freshening, $75.66; spring freshening, 

 $70.73 ; and summer freshening, $66.59. 



