The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1923-09-21

the Darn, L was IOiu LHdL Ln1S COW
and that COW were "kickers." Milk
ing machines had been in use on the
farm but were discontinued because
the COWS Kicked the teat cups off.
To this man, dairying was not only
: an Improbable business but drudg.
cry as well, because he lacked the
tact, experience and knowledge to
manage a herd of milk cows in such
way that they would produce a suf-
ficient amount of milk to make them
profitable.
Some Cows Produce More
The following afternoon l visited
another farm where eight Jersey
cows were MIXED. Here the attitude
of the owner was quite different,
even though he received little less
for his butter fat. / was told that
dairying was the most profitable
thing on the ranch and the returns
from the sale of butter fat were very
satisfactory. Not only was there a
difference in the attitude of the own
er but here the cows were strong
well-developed individuals and most
of them carried large, well-developed
udders. Their sleek, silky coats of
hair and fine, mellow skins showed
that they had received good care.
The eight cows, though they were
of a small high testing breed, were
producing approximately ESQ pounds
of milk daily. On this farm natural
conditions were not much more ia
vorable for growing feed, and the
equipment for handling the stock was
not nearly as good as on the first
farm visited. Here dairying was a
success because the owner managed
his herd in such a way that the COWS
produced sufficient amount of milk
to make fair profit over and above
the cost of production.
The contrast between these two
places was marked. On the one farm
was large herd of poorly managed,
low producing cows; a small income
in relation to expenditure, and a
hard working discontinued man. On
the other farm was a small herd of
high producing cows, very satisfac- |
tory income, and a contented, optim- |
istic owner. He studied the factors
that govern the cost of production.
Weed Out Poor Producers
The principal factors that govern |
the cost of production are: First, the
quality of the animals; second, the
equipment and natural conditions for
dairying; third, the management.
Throughout the state many COWS
are kept for dairy purposes that are
close descendants of the range cattle |
and have little or no disposition to- /,
ward milk production other than to
nurse calf. Under ordinary farm |
conditions these COWS will produce |
from $500 to 1000 pounds of milk
for the year. 1t is very doubtful if |
COWS of such low production will pay
for the feed they consume, and in
terest and taxes, to say nothing of
The labor involved in caring for the
Good dairymen who have
kept records of the cost of production
generally figure that COW must pro-
luce about 5000 pounds of milk or
200 pounds of butter fat year be-
ore she makes any profit when all
he items of expense are charged up
against her production.
A summary of $4,000 COW testing
records shows that when
he yearly production of butter fat
Increases from $50 pounds to 200
POUNDS, the income over the cost of
eed advances s25 to $40, a differ
nee of SIS for so pounds increase
n production. Records kept of the !
larry herd of the Montana Expert T
nent Station also show about the !
anne increase in profits due to the
igher production. Knowing this, {
he good dairyman will always strive /
o increase the production of his herd +
y using good sires and culling out :
IL unsatisfactory producers. q
Arrange Buildings Efficiently :
The equipment and natural con- Q
itsons play very important part in 3
be economical production of milk. +
It times the buildings are so poorly +
ranged that great deal of time
J required to do the chores or the :
buildings are not comfortable for \
he animals and the production is +
,wered. Again the buildings may be n
DO elaborate to make profit on the n
lvestment. The buildings should be .
arranged, sanitary and +
On1fortable for the stock, and only q
T such investment as the business
ill permit. 1t is not uncommon to :
nd people attempting to conduct a I
airy business on land that is not
roductive or on land that is too high
riced for its productive capacity.
nder these conditions successful
airying is made difficult.
I The way in which cows are man
ged is also a very important factor
nd one that so often can be i'm
roved upon. Good cows poorly man
ged or inferior cows well managed
i've unfavorable results. The two,
bod feeding and good cows, must go
,gether. Not only must the cows
ave a sufficient amount to eat but
must be of such variety as will
We good results.
Well Balanced Feeds 900
Many Montana dairymen are get =
ng fine results from our home
own feeds while others are losing
oney. The difference is often due
the way the feeds are combined.
Urn fodder and alfalfa hay give
'od results whereas corn fodder and
real hay is not satisfactory com
nation for milk production. The
aximum production can be obtain