Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1908-07-23
The Cost Of q Calf.

Breeders of pure bred cattle who
allow their calves to milk the dams,
frequently ask themselves, Does 1T
pay?" They fully realize that by feed
ing calves in this manner they are able
to give them start which would
otherwise be impossible, but they very
naturally question whether the results
are commensurate with the cost A
few years ago this question came to
the mind of Herbert w. Mumford of
Urbana, Illinois, who is recognized the
country over as one of the foremost
authorities on beef cattle and beef pro-
duction. In attempting to get a salts
factory answer he made a careful and
complete study of the subject and
found three factors-the market, value
of the land, the natural adaptability
of the land for cattle raising and
the grade of calves produced-which
affected the cost of production. For
the purpose of illustration Mr.. Mum
ford assumed that certain average
conditions generally prevail. For ex-
ample, he said cit must be known
that the land has a definite market
value, upon which valuation 1t Us
reasonable to demand a fair interest.
1t must be assumed also that the land
selected to illustrate the point in hand
must be fairly we'll adapted for cattle
raising. That is, 1t must produce sat
isfactorily variety Of grasses and
clovers for pasture and hay, and corn,
oats or other feeds suitable for the
production Of cattle. That lis to say,
whatever value the land possesses.
the value should rest in the land and
not in it's proximity to some city,
town or village, or, as has been men
toned before, its value must not con-
sist in expensive improvements that
do not directly aid in cheapenlng the
cost of producing cattle.
Suppose, as an example, we assume
the land to be worth 500 per acre
and sufficiently fertile and so handled
that it produces a calf to six months
of age, including the keep of the dam,
to each two acres. 1t would seem
reasonable to charge 5 per cent on
the investment in lands and per
cent interest on cattle.
Another item which should receive
some explanation is that of the grade
of calves produced. 1t is assumed that
only calves possessing high percent
age of beef blood are to be produced
and that these calves possess the type
and characteristics of well bred beef
calves. Calves of such breeding and
permitted to nurse their dams should
weigh from 400 to $50 pounds at six
months of age. 1t is believed that a
herd of cows properly handled should
produce IS per cent of calves annually
or to produce one calf would require
1.1S COWS. Such cows would be valued
at about $40 each. A suitable bull
would cost approximately $3.50 and
serve twenty-five cows.
With these facts known it is posi-
bic to make the following itemized
statement which is intended to show
the cost of production per calf:
per cent interest on investment
in two acres of 800 land and
accompanying equipment. $1,000
per cent interest on investment
in 1.1S cows at $40. ......... $50
7 per cent interest on investment
in one-tWenty- fifth of $3.50
bull -
Cost of production of winter feed
and pasture, exclusive of the
above charges .............. 4O0
Taxes and insurance on land and
cattle, including necessary
fencing repairs ............. 5oo
Annual depreciation on 1.1S cows
at 50 ............... 2.ss
Pro rata depreciation on herd
hull .............. 80
4 per cent mortality on valua-
ton of stock and herd bull. 2lS
Total cost ..............s2 b.6l
If the calf weighs $50 pounds, it has
cost approximately Sc per hundred
weight If it does not weigh that much
it has cost more.
Were such calves to be raised on
land valued at $50 instead of $500 per
acre. which Is not possible. the cost OF
aaoh Golf could he reduced fully one