Milford chronicle., 1926-09-10

of raising heifers for herd mainte-
nance is probably justified in this
area because of the advantages of
the better control of diseases and of
breeding a higher standard of pro-
duction. However, there is little JUS
tification for the farmers of this area
producing heifers in excess of the
number necessary for herd mainte-
nance.
1T has already been shown that
those farms that had herds with an
average annual milk production per
cow of $500 pounds or more, return
ed a measurably greater labor in
come than did those farms that had
herds with an average milk produc-
ton per COW of $500 to $500 pounds.
It is a question whether or not those
herds that had an average milk pro-
duction per cow of less than $500
pounds were any more than paying
for the cost of production.
Aides to Dairymen,
"As a means of making dairying a
more profitable enterprise in the
Middletown area, the following rec
concentrations are made:
THE average annual milk produc-
ton per cow of the dairy herds
should be at least $500 pounds. The
continual replacing of the inferior
individuals with better producing
cows is an essential practice in in
surfing profits in dairying.
use good pure-bred bulls only.
produce a good basic quantity.
Usually there is no margin of profit
in producing surplus milk. This en-
tails managing the herd so that the
major portion of the cows freshen
in the fall.
"As general practice, feed
ground corn and cob meal supple
mented with a protein feed such as
cottonseed meal.
Supplement mixed hay with al
falfa hay
Provide silage, especially on
farms where sugar corn is grown.
Eradicate tuberculosis on the ac-
credited herd plan"
In summarizing all of the results
of the survey and which are the cruz
of it, Mr.. Bausman, says:
The Results From All Angles
THE major factors influencing the
labor incomes of the farms in the
Middletown area were, types anC
combination of enterprises, size o
business, quality of business, ant
: diversity of business.
THE average farm capital OF 81
farms amounted to 322,839. The aver
age farm receipts amounted to S4,
9O4, the average farm expenses wer'
$4,000. the average labor income wal
S554, and the averafe percentage re
turn on capital was 3.5 per cent.
"The major sources of farm re
ceipts in 1924 were: Wheat, whicl
amounted to 34.6 per cent of the to
tai receipts; whole milk, 31.1 pc
cent; field corn, 10 per cent; suga
corn, 5 per cent, and tomatoes pc
cent.
THE major items of farm expens
were labor which amounted to 35.
! per cent of the total expenses; pur
chased dairy concentrates, Is pc
cent; fertilizer, 9.5 per cent an
taxes, S.3 per cent.
The average number OF dalr
COWS per farm increased from l
head in 1914 to 16 head in 1924. Tn
average receipts from dairy pro
ducts increased from S651 per farr
in 1914, to $1,538, in 1924. In 19l
out of the 65 farms included in tn
survey, 8 farms sold no dairy pro
.. ducts, 6 farms sold butter, "a farm
sold cream and 16 farms sold Who'll
milk. In 1924, out of 65 farms, on
farm sold butter, one farm sol
cream and 63 farms sold whole mill
Taxes increased from Sill pc
farm in 1914, to $267 in 1924. In 19l'
"a per cent of the farm receipt
were paid out for taxes. In 1924, 3.
per cent of the farm receipts wer
paid out for taxes.
"The cost of labor increased frol
1889 per farm in 1914 to $l,l59 l
1924. Yet, there was no appreciabl
= adjustment in the systems of farl
management to meet the increasln
labor costs.
8 Some Crops Better Paying
L 1.-The increase in the prices of fiel
corn and wheat during the period
T 1922 to 1925 as compared with tt
, Deriod of 1911 to 1914, was RELATIVE
Iy small. However, the prices OF 81
. gar corn, tomatoes and asparagus Il
d creased 47.80 and 139 per cent, r
n spectively, during these periods. Ye
only a few of the better paying farm
had adjusted their systems OF far
= organizations to meet this change
- prices.
Il "Those farms in the Middleton
i area that supplemented the produ
ton of corn, wheat, and milk WI
" more of the intensive type OF ente
Il prises, namely, sugar corn, tomaloe
= asparagus and poultry products, +
- turned decidedly better labor L
~ comes.
IL "It is apparent that the increasll
population in eastern urban cente
is creating a greater demand, al
consequently increasing prices f
l. ready edible foods for human co
" sumption. This condition will dOut
J. less stimulate a more intensive ty
le Of farming in eastern sections.
ig Big Farms Paid Best
IL THE farms that were less thi
= 100 acres in size returned an avera
~ labor income of $142. The farms tn
~ were over 800 acres in size return
= an average labor income of $1,6'
y, This study indicates that if the smt
~ Ter farms in this area are to retu
~ reasonable labor incomes it is ese
y. ~ tial that they increase the size OF t
l. farm business. This may be done
~ ~ buying or renting more land a