6 BULLETIN 1071. L. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGEICULTUEE. 
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 average 
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; and 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 considered, but they are much greater for some associations and 
very much greater for single herds in some associations. Where pas- 
tures are good and cheap the summer feed cost is low. and where pas- 
tures are poor and hard to get the summer feed cost is relatively high. 
IXFLVEXCE OF PASTURE OX FEED COST. 
To determine the influence of good pastures on production and in- 
come, 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 fresh- 
ened in the fall, their yearly milk production averaged 4A6 pounds 
less and their yearly butterfat production averaged 12 pounds less 
than those that freshened at other seasons of the year. In income 
over cost of feed they fell 817.5^ behind the average of those that 
freshened in the summer and 825.97 behind those that freshened in 
the spring. In income over cost of feed the figures were as follows : 
Spring freshening. $94.83; winter freshening. 891.67: summer fresh- 
ening. 8S6.74: and fall freshening. 86S.S6. The figures for that asso- 
ciation were decidedly against fall freshening, but these results were 
the exception and not the rule when all the 64 associations were con- 
sidered. 
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 produc- 
tion of milk and butterfat and in income over cost of feed. In in- 
come over cost of feed the figures for association B (having the poor 
pastures) were as follows: Fall freshening. $86. IS: winter freshen- 
ing. 8S5.99 : spring freshening^Bki)2 : and summer freshening. 8S1.73. 
For association A the average income over cost of feed was $85.59 
and for association B it was PH^Gc The figures do not prove that 
dairying is more profitable whr, e pastures are good, but they furnish 
some evidence that the question <>f pasture should have weight in de- 
termining the time of year when it will pay best to have cows freshen. 
Labor, too. must be considered. 
