41 



increases. Its highest value is realized when the crude protein content of 

 the basic hay is low. This is accounted for in figure 5 and table 15 by the 

 reduction in value as the basic hay ration increases in crude protein content. 



The values placed on superhay in table 15 indicate its value only when it 

 is fed as a supplement to weaner calves. When the superhay is fed to the 

 pregnant heifers and cows in a breeding herd, its value is considerably less 

 than that shown. 



ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF HAY MANAGEMENT TECHNIQUE 



Having established the relative costs of producing hay under various 

 management techniques and having established a maximum value for super- 

 hay, the problem is to determine what techniques or management practices 

 will give the greatest input-output ratio and what will set the upper practical 

 limits on each practice (when the input-output ratio is 1). The discussion 

 deals with: (1) Input-output ratios in feeding a breeding herd; (2) input- 

 output ratios in feeding weaner calves; and (3) considerations other than 

 cost of feed. 



A breeding herd does not require a ration containing more than 8 per- 

 cent crude protein but weaner calves require one with at least 10 percent 

 crude protein. For weaners, the ration may be hay with a crude protein 

 content of 10 percent. If the hay contains less than this amount, it can be 

 supplemented with high-protein hay or other feed so that the ration will 

 average 10 percent crude protein. 



The data summarized in table 15, together with the cost data in tables 11 

 and 12, suggest the management practices that might be practical in pro- 

 ducing various types of hay. Types of hay are designated as feed for the 

 base herd, feed for weaner calves, and supplem.ental feed for weaner calves. 

 Alternative management practices and the results to be expected from them 

 are summarized in table 16. 



Those practices that show minus values in the "Change in net value of 

 production per acre" in table 16 are practices that are not profitable iinder 

 the conditions given. Differences in practices showing relatively small 

 plus or minus values (more or less than $1) are not significant. Those 

 with plus or minus changes in value of production per acre greater than $1 

 are significant. Using this as a criteria, if the change in net value is not 

 $1 per acre or more, fr'om the least cost standpoint, the practice is rela- 

 tively unfavorable. 



