The Sidney herald., 1958-10-29

Now that the frost is on the
pumpkin and the fodder is in the
silo, our modern farmer is ready
to do some head scratching.
Comparing operations with the
average and with goals set for
himself and others is probably
worthwhile. This is always need
ed to place him in a position to
look to the future and to plan
operations for the coming year.
The following goals set down by
one author ON a national or
regional basis have been described
as attainable under present con-
ditions of scientific farming.
Starting with wheat, we find
goals quoted at a production cost
of S1.30 per bushel and yields for
the Great Plains of 80 bushels
per acre. Averages quoted are
said to be in the neighborhood of
$1.66 per bushel cost and yields
of 1873 bushels per acr
Corn goals have shot up rapidly
in some areas due to fertilization
and use of hybrid varieties adopt
ed to heavy fertilizer feeding.
Goals are of 100 bushels at 70
cents per bushel costs. Averages
run at about AZ bushels with costs
running about $1.15 per bushel.
Top yields do III to 800 bushels
and above, although these may
not be gotten so economically.
How far up the ladder of yields
one may 60 obviously depends
upon conditions and costs.
For sugar beets under present
conditions, goals are rising by the
year. High fertility levels now
being used at the Huntly Expert
ment Station are running average
yields above rs tons per acre.
Bearing this in mind, a goal of
20 tons may not be too high for
this area. Several will make it
this year. Past averages have
run near Is tons.
In getting returns for irrigated
pasture, some claim 500 pounds
of beef per acre or 5000 pounds
of milk per acre. AS compared
to national averages of 100 pounds
of beef and 1900 pounds of milk
one can see the spread, part OF
which can be attributed to good
management, although conditions
are a large factor.
In the beef industry, feeders
may set a goal of 3 pounds per
day gain at a cost of Is cents.
Under some conditions it will be
attained. Present averages show
daily gains of LIS pounds per day
and a cost of 20 cents per pound.
Breeders can shoot for SO pound
calves at six months, beating pre-
sent averages of 375 pounds.
Swine producers can shoot for
10 pigs per litter and IL cents per
pound gains or 300 pounds of feed
per cwt. gain. Averages now
stand at 7 pigs per litter and $50
pounds of feed for 100 pounds
gain.
We find that $50 eggs per hen
at a cost of rs cents per dozen
might be a fair goal. While this
is attainable under certain con-
ditions, they tell us that the
averages are considerably below
this figure. The present average
is 1862 eggs at a cost of 36 cents.
For the sheep industry, a figure
to shoot at might be a 1852
lamb crop and an average return
of $35 per eve. Present averages
are 1857 for the lamb crop and
a return of near $22 per eve, and
for western range flocks this
would have to be scaled down
further.
In the dairy industry, 10000
pounds per COW and a milk cost
of So per 100 pounds of milk is
said to be good. Present averages
are 5000 pounds at a cost of $3.50
per 100 pounds of milk produced.
Another goal set for the indivi-
dual dairyman is 100000 pounds
per man or 80 of these high
producers.
Knowing what the Jones' are
doing makes it a bit easier to
know how we'll we as individuals
are keeping up. Probably the
average cost figures are more i'm
portant to us than yields per acre
or per animal unit. A study of
ones individual enterprises will
help to get your comparisons.
Farm records are pretty handy
things to have in this field.