The Kevin review. [volume] (Kevin, Mont.) 1922-1929, 1923-09-20

the barn, | was told hal this GOV
and hal cow were ~"kickers." Milk
ing machines had been in use on tn,
farm but we're discontinued becaus,
the COWS kicked the teat cups off.
To this man, dairying was not onl,
an improbable business but drudg
cry as we'll, because he lacked thu
tact, experience and knowledge t.
manage a herd of milk COWS in sucI
a way that they would produce a suf
ficient amount of milk to make then
profitable.
Some Cows Produce More
The following afternoon 1 visited
another farm where eight Jersey
cows were MIXED. Here the attitude
of the owner was quite different
even though he received a little less
for his butter fat. l 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,
we~ll-developed individuals and most
of them carried large, w~ell-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, we're
producing approximately $50 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 a sufficient amount of milk
to make a fair profit over and above
the cost of production.
The contrast between these two
places was marked. On the one farm
was a large herd of poorly managed,
low producing cows; a small income
in relation to expenditure, and a
hard working disconnected man. On
the other farm was a small herd of
high producing cows, a 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 hat are
close descendants of the range cattle
and have little or no disposition to-
ward milk production other than to
a calf. Under ordinary farm
conditions these COWS will produce
from $500 to 1000 pounds of milk
for the year. 1t is very doubtful if
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
animals. Good dairymen who have
kept records of the cost of production
generally figure that a cow must pro-
duce about 5000 pounds of milk or
200 pounds of butter fat a year be-
fore she makes any profit when all
the items of expense are charged up
against her production.
A summary of $4,000 COW testing
association records shows that when
the yearly production of butter fat
increases from $50 pounds to 200
pounds, the income over the cost of
feed advances S25 to $40, a differ
ence of SIS for so pounds increase
in production. Records kept of the
dairy herd of the Montana Expert
ment Station also show about the
increase in profits due to the
production. Knowing this,
he good dairyman will always strive
70 increase the production of his herd
~ using good sires and culling out
LII unsatisfactory producers.
Arrange Buildings Efficiently
The equipment. and natural con-
play a very important part in
he economical production of milk.
times the buildings are SO poorly
arranged that a great deal of time
S required to do the chores or the
buildings are not comfortable for
he animals and the production is
owered. Again the buildings may be
elaborate to make a profit on the
Investment. The buildings should be I.
conveniently arranged, sanitary and
comfortable for the stock, and only :
If such investment as the business
will permit. 1t is not uncommon to :
ind people attempting to conduct a
larry business on land that is not
or on land that is too high
priced for it's productive capacity.
Under these conditions successful
is made difficult.
The way in which COWS are man
.ged is also a very important factor
one that so often can be i'm
'roved upon. Good cows poorly man
ged or inferior cows we'll managed
i've unfavorable results. The two,
.ood feeding and good cows, must go
ogether. Not only must the cows
ave a sufficient amount to eat but
t must be of such variety as will
i've good results.
Well Balanced Feeds :
Many Montana dairymen are get .
ing fine results from our home
feeds while others are losing
honey. The difference is often due
the way the feeds are combined.
aorn fodder and alfalfa hay give
God results whereas corn fodder and
sreal hay Is not a satisfactory CON-