Askov American. [volume] (Askov, Pine County, Minn.) 1914-current, 1925-07-16
DATA GATHERED ON
ASKOV FARM ROUTE

associate agriculturist at Univer-
sity Farm, who visits Askoy occa-
sionaily and goes over the sta
tIstical route together with Rex
Truman, the local man:
In the following table are pre-
sented data gathered on the
Askov statistical route for the
first three months Of 1925. The
figures cover % farms having a
total OF 311 cows. In this table
the cost of feed for the cows is
compared with the value Of their
product. In computing the value
Of the product the value Of any
dairy products used in the house
such as milk and cream. and of
any whole milk or skimmilk fed
to calves, hogs or poultry has
been added to the cream check.
Dairy Feed Costs and Returns.
average per COW. January TO March,
Inc. i925).
Aver 10 high 10 low
age rs est pro- est pro-
herds duclna ducing
Buttrrt, lbs 90 So ASA
Grain. lbs... 45e 6is 3lI
Hay. lbs. !. .i46e 1879 1901
roots, lbs. .2s7s aso4 1904
Val. product s32.43 $f2.03 $23.i6
Feed cost -. 1855 27.4s 2t43
Return over
feed $500. ess 1856 --1.s7s
sIoss.
In the first column is present.
ed the average cost for the en-
tire 28 farms. In the second
column is the average for the 10
herds having the highest butter
fat production per COW and in
the third the average for the 10
herds having the lowest produc-
ton. The costs and returns are
computed on a basis Of one cow
for three months.
The figures emphasize very
strongly the Importance Of pro-
duction as a factor in dairy pro-
fits. The ten highest producing
herds made more than twice as
large a return over cost of feed
as the average herd. On the
other hand the low producing
herds did not even pay for their
feed besides leaving nothing for
labor, interest, taxes. shelter and
other costs. Those herds produc-
ing over 80 pounds of butterfat
during the three months made a
return of $15.35 per COW over
feed costs; those producing from
65 to 80 pounds $13.57 and those
from 50 to IS pounds only $5.42.
The herds producing less than so
pounds of fat lacked $3.50 in pay
ing for their feed alone with
nothing left over for other costs.
II is interesting to note that the
feed for the ten best herds cost
only $3.O5 more per COW than for
the ten low producing herds
whereas their product was worth
$1S.87 more. This gave the high
producers a net advantage on
feed alone of 1882 per COW
over the low producers.
All cost studies reveal similar
differences in production. costs,
and profits between different
farms, not only in dairying but
in other lines of production. II
is the purpose Of the Askov sta
tistical route to study these vari-
atoms and learn the causes under
conditions prevailing in the cut
over sections of northeastern
Minnesota. From time to time
as these causes become apparent
from a further study Of the re-
cords the findings will be pub
lished so that everyone may pro-
fit by them. Farmers in other
sections of the state have found
that similar studies helped them
10 make their business more pro-
Iitable and il is to be hoped that
the farmers Of Pine county will
be similarly benefited.
The mistake should not be
r1ade of judging too hastily from
n sc figures that on the average
ia.rying is improbable on these
ARM.
I should be remembered that
his is the period Of highest feed
,osts for the year. For some
arms it is a period of low pro-
luction. These figures are not
Intended to show the profits of
iairying as a whole but merely
he wide variation between diff
rent farms and the dependence
4 profits on high production. 4
rhe complete report at the end
II the year will tell the story Al Z