20 ILLINOIS STATE DAIRYMEN'S ASSOCIATION 



In 8 associations the feed cost was greatest for the 

 cows that freshened in the spring, in 9 the feed cost was 

 greatest for those that freshened in the summer, in 42 the 

 feed cost was greatest for those that freshened in the fall, 

 and in 5 the feed cost was greatest for those that freshened 

 in the winter. Referring to Table 1 we find that in all the 

 associations combined and over a period of years the aver- 

 age cost of feed for the cows that freshened in the fall was 

 $67.39; for those that freshened in the winter, $63.16; for 

 those that freshened in the summer, $60.10; for those that 

 freshened in the spring, $56.73. In practical application 

 the figures should be considered as relative, not absolute. 

 These variations are not great when averages are consid- 

 ered, but they are much greater for some associations and 

 very much greater for single herds in some associations. 

 Where pastures are good and cheap the summer feed cost 

 is low, and where pastures are poor and hard to get the 

 summer feed cost is relatively high. 



Influence of Pasture on Feed Cost. 



To determine the influence of good pastures on produc- 

 tion and income, a comparative study was made of one 

 year's records of two cow-testing associations in the same 

 State and not far apart. For convenience we will call these 

 associations A and B. Association A had good pastures 

 and association B had relatively poor pastures. 



In association A the feed cost was greatest for the cows 

 that freshened in the fall, their yearly milk production 

 averaged 446 pounds less and their yearly butterfat pro- 

 duction averaged 12 pounds less than those that freshened 

 at other seasons of the year. In income over cost of feed 

 they fell $17.88 behind the average of those that freshened 

 in the summer and $25.97 behind those that freshened in 

 the spring. In income over cost of feed the figures were as 

 follows: Spring freshening, $94.83; winter freshening, 

 $91.67; summer freshening, $86.74; and fall freshening, 

 $68.86. The figures for that association were decidedly 

 against fall freshening, but these results were the exception 



