Unit requirements for producing market milk in southeastern Louisiana

Historic, archived document

Do not assume content reflects current
scientific knowledge, policies, or practices.

YN, BULLETIN No. 955°

‘N maASS lee Contribution from the Bureau of Animal Industry
ws JOHN R. MOHLER, Chief

Washington, D. C. Vv May 16, 1921.

UNIT REQUIREMENTS FOR PRODUCING MARKET MILK IN
SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA.!

By J. B. Barn, Dairy Husbandman, G. E. Braun, Market Milk Specialist, and W. D.
Woon, Assistant Market Milk Specialist, Dairy Division.

CONTENTS.
Page. Page.
Character and scope of the work............. 1 | Factors involved in the production of milk—
Methods of obtaining data..............-..-- 2 Continued.
Requirements for producing 100 pounds of IPAS TUTO pace Seen ee ee ie he SA ete 8
TERK eerie ee carts cere (el eeya Blanes cists pataisieisis ais 3 1 zi oY) eit epee aE RINGS EVN SIE ANS es A hl 8
Description of the herds. .7......-.-22..-:--- 4 OthericostsyAs S26 2 EE ee ns ea! 9
Requirements for keeping a cow one year.... 4 | Percentage comparison of factors involved... 10
Credits for manure and caives...-..... 4 | Average costs compared with bulk-line costs. 11
Requirements for keeping a bull...........-. 7 | Monthly distribution of factors in milk pro-
Factors involved in the rroduction of milk... a AEGON: ee Se BA ee Sek he ee en Ede 13
CSAS Se Scrtgkicn as ssiscacice sees ceise se ciercer ON ASTMNINAT Yessy. oh ree ty Ala a ere Meg 14

CHARACTER AND SCOPE OF THE WORK.

How many pounds of grain, hay, and silage and how many hours
of labor does it take to produce 100 pounds .of milk in the different
dairy sections of the United States? How much does it cost for
buildings, equipment, and the general expenses of the dairy? The
answers to these questions should be of interest and value to dairy-
men throughout the country. In 1915 the Bureau of Animal Indus-
try, United States Department of Agriculture, began a series of
studies on groups of dairy farms in different sections of the United
States to obtain accurate information along these lines. The first
step taken was to develop a system whereby the actual cost of pro-
ducing milk could be obtained month by month on practical dairy
farms in market milk centers of the United States. |

Investigations have been completed and the results published for
northwestern Indiana (Department Bulletin 858), North Carolina,’

1 The data in this bulletin apply especially to milk shipped from this section to the New Orleans

market.
2 A bulletin on this investigation was published by the North Carolina Department of Agriculture.

40557°—21— Bull. 955

2 BULLETIN 955, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

western Washington (Department Bulletin 919), and Vermont (De-
partment Bulletin 923). This bulletin deals with the conditions in
the vicinity of New Orleans, La. The work was organized among a
group of 17 dairymen living in Tangipahoa Parish, La., in March,
1918. The specialist of the department made monthly visits to each
farm for two years, until April, 1920. This locality was selected
because the farms are typical of conditions found in that section and
the milk is shipped to a large city market, New Orleans.

Although the figures obtained show what was required to produce
market milk under the system of dairy management found in the —
section studied, and probably approximate the requirements in similar
sections, they, of course, do not apply to dairying in other sections,
where other conditions and methods of management prevail. The
dairies were subject to the inspection system controlling the sanitary
conditions under which milk could be shipped and sold in the New
Orleans market. The cost of production would have been somewhat
different if either higher or lower grades of milk had been produced.

The results have been reported separately for the winter and sum-
mer seasons because the season of the year may have a marked influ-
ence on the principal factors of cost. Summer conditions prevail from
April to September, inclusive, and winter conditions from October to
March, inclusive. This division of time was used in reporting the
results for the winter and summer seasons.

The various tables are based upon figures obtained curing the two-
year study and the weighted averages of these records were used
whenever they would express the results more accurately. The
weighted average was obtained by giving each item a different weight
in the average according to its relative importance.

METHODS OF OBTAINING DATA.

The figures reported are based on actual records obtained by regular
monthly full-day visits to 14 farms for two years and to 8 other
farms for one year. :

At the beginning and the end of each year the field agent took an
inventory of the dairy buildings, livestock, and equipment used in
the care of the herd and its products. On his regular monthly visit
at each farm the agent, with watch in hand, noted and recorded the
exact minute each labor operation in the dairy was begun and ended.
An equally careful record was obtained of the kind, description,
quantity, and cost of each feed used, the quantity of milk sold that
month, and the amount received for it. In addition, the milk used
by the proprietor and his help or fed to calves was measured or
weighed on the monthly visit and used as a basis for determining the
quantity kept on the farm during the month,

MARKET MILK IN SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA. 3

The dairyman kept itemized accounts of expenses incurred between
monthly visits and reported these items to the field agent. Monthly
records were also kept of the purchase or sale of cows, calves, hides,
of outside bull service, and of other miscellaneous information.
Accurate records of calves born and first-hand information on the
condition and methods of handling manure were collected sys-
tematically.

The collection of monthly records lessened the influence of unusual
circumstances at the time of any particular visit. The use of the
records of all the herds for each month made it possible to obtain
representative data for each month, season, and year. Records were
obtained the second year as a check on the first year’s work and to
increase the quantity of data for study.

REQUIREMENTS FOR PRODUCING 100 POUNDS OF MILK.

To obtain more uniform results and to overcome the effect of
fluctuating prices, money values have been eliminated wherever
possible. Feed requirements in pounds and the labor requirements
in hours make it possible to apply current prices.

TABLE 1.—Units required, except charge for management, for producing 100 pounds
of milk in winter and in summer.

Winter. Summer.
Summary Summary
Item. SS) OLA | OO
1918-19. | 1919-20. | Winters. | joi. 1919) 2) SORE erS
Feed:
Purchased concentrates. ...-- pounds. . 69. 9 (ile 7 70. 8 49.8 54.5 52.2
Home-grown grains......------- owen: 3) 2.4 1.6 2 23
Total concentrates.....-..-.-- doze 70. 8 74.1 72.4 50. 0 54.8 52.5
Hauling and grinding grain..........- $0. 072 $0. 117 $0. 095 $0. 036 $0. 062 $0. 050
Noncommercial roughage - - squads: = 8.6 19.3 14.1 2 1.6 ee
Commercial carbohydrate hay. LOO) 6.5 23.5 Uy Ai (A Milaeense a 10 .5
Commercial legume hay ......-.- doseee 8.5 9.5 ON OT ech 1.0 .5
Total dry roughage.-........-.- doss== 23.6 52.3 38.3 2 3.6 1.9
Silage and other succulent roughage,
OUT Se tee eis er eee ata ort tere 80. 8 76. 0 78.4 12.4 4, 8.1
ES ING meee ey Ss fee SA ta rs $0. 197 $0. 115 $0. 155 $0. 228 $0. 169 $0. 197
IMGT og eo Sotecsossonnesose POUTASE si Sam fo Ol ey reratete tracts Eid) te feooa | eyePe Pashto) aiet~||kapeic hoya eee = e
Labor
FEL ATIVAN Ae shee aka em eek hours 6.3 5.3 5.8 5. 2 4.7 5.0
EROLSO eek esta ss cabcinsac steno « do.. 9 8 9 6 7 Ai)
Other costs:
Brildine charces)2. oes. ee. Se $0. 318 $0. 194 $0. 255 $0. 215 $0. 130 $0. 171
Equipment charges and dairy supplies. 343 . 344 . 344 - 231 . 230 - 230
Herd charges—
Taxes, insurance, veterinary, med-
icines, and disinfectants......__. . 069 . 094 . 082 047 - 063 . 055
Interest on cow investment........... . 208 . 242 4225 . 140 . 162 . 151
Cosyot keeping bulls 2a... 22. ae sake - 087 . 078 - 082 - 030 - 043 . 037
Motor-truck charge. (2 os) . 001 . 016 . 009 . OOL . 005 . 003
OR SIG Tavs youll aes opi aa ab he PR eR rE eee ee ea en ee oe a . 012 . 006
Total of other costs except deprecia-
Tionomcows- S55: EE eee. eee 1. 026 . 968 997 664 645 653
Depreciation on cows-..---...--.-....- 271 177 223 183 119 150
DOLANOM OLMEl/COStSze ae See eee nee 1. 297 1.145 | 1. 220 847 | 764 | 803

4 BULLETIN 955, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Table 1 shows that a large quantity of grain and small quantities
of dry roughage and silage were fed for each 100 pounds of milk pro-
duced in winter. A large quantity of grain was fed in summer also.
The amount of grain per cow per year was not excessive, but the small
quantity of milk produced tended to increase the grain per 100 pounds
of milk. The quantity of grain, however, could have been materially
reduced had more roughage been fed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE HERDS.

During the first year the 17 herds had a total of 452 cows with an
average yearly production of 2,994 pounds of milk, testing 4.6 per
cent butterfat. The second year’s study included 440.6 cows with
an average yearly production of 3,263 pounds of milk having an
average butterfat test of 4.2 per cent.

A large proportion of the cows were so-called “native” stock.
Many of the herds, however, had cows showing some Jersey charac-
teristics, and the milk production of most of the herds is being
increased by the use of purebred bulls of the dairy breeds. The
eradication of the cattle tick from this section has also increased the
yearly milk production of the cows.

REQUIREMENTS FOR KEEPING A COW ONE YEAR.

The quantity of milk produced, as shown in Table 2, was slightly
greater in summer than in winter, but the quantity of grain fed per
cow was practically the same for both seasons.

The beneficial effect of pasture is shown in Table 2 in the compara-
tive quantities of dry roughage and silage fed in the winter and
summer seasons. It is the custom to allow some of the herds to
range over the “‘ Piney-Woods”’ pasture, which furnishes fair grazing.

Owing to the mild, open winters, the quantity of bedding used is so
small as to be negligible.

CREDITS FOR MANURE AND CALVES.

The method followed for obtaining the value of manure takes into
consideration the fertilizing constituents of the feeds fed, as obtained
from standard tables showing the fertilizing constituents returned
in the individual feeds consumed.

About three-fourths of the protein in the feeds fed to dairy cows
passes through the body and is voided in the manure. This protein
is a source of nitrogen which is valuable as fertilizer. The same is
also true of phosphoric acid and potash. Practically every dairy
farm has use for all manure voided by the herd. The commercial
value of the manure depends upon the use to which it is put. The
returns in dollars depend upon the increase in the crops raised and in
the amount received from the sale of these crops. These facts may

MARKET MILK IN SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA. 5

reduce or increase the value of a ton of manure below or above the
market price of the fertilizing constituents contained in it.

TABLE 2.—Number of cows, average production, and requirements for keeping a cow
during each season and for the entire year, except charge for management.

P Entire
Item. Winter. | Summer. year.
INEM On OMCOWSE oer eens Sarees oe sa SA ee aN nt ae 855. 9 929. 4 892. 6
AVera ze) PLOGuChion PenlCOWs =. seers oe ae oe cece es oaaecio ss - pounds. . 1,309 ibs CES 3, 106
Feed:
Iburchased CONCEMETATES Ne Eppes seco: seco aeeee rages waaeene dosss: 927 939 1, 866
FELOMETOTO WEL A LMS He era orate) Ae os acyaysoarata erento corse cent dozee- 22 5 27
RovaliCOnCcentratescmeaaresene cata: cose classes slecinc ek teeae do 949 944 1, 893
ELaulinerandioninGineverainy ees a2 ees sce e ob ee ces a ee $1. 25 $0. 89 $2. 14
Noncommencialiroughareee mses ten cycteee naman ae eee pounds. . 185 17 202
Commercialicarbobydratehay:- = -so-6- 2 4aceeee tee seen dosee 200 9 209
Commerciaileg um om ayviae eres eins oa wiles ee Kereyaia Biss do...-. 118 9 127
Motallanysnous ha geese cays ee esi es A eas te ee ce Some ees e eee doreee 503 35 538
sllagerandsothersucculentiroushagess. a. 324-2 o-se cee oo. nee COS see 1, 026 145 iL ital
1SXs(0 Cobb a ats ACOH S OE oe CRIS ICRI Re SE Aa AOR ee ts gM OS donee Gi Maisie tees 4
TERS RUNS o Bocca boo O DOES HS AU OD SSE SEAS Hes etter ee ee oe ee $2. 03 $3. 55 $5. 58
Labor
IB Whre ak a dauetea eho se AS SOS OS HOS ADEE ene ae mE nanemes Sian ponte hours. . 75.3 89. 2 164.5
VOLS Geta aren Senn ete clei aerate yeep Mme ret We ote SMR eae WU ts a One 11.6 12.1 Pay 7
Other costs:
TBAW ID CG Da VES Chae eS a as eA cc et lh Sra a eee $3. 33 $3. 07 $6. 40
Kquipment charges and dairy supplies. ---... 22.22.2250. -- 5222 s-ee- 4. 50 4.14 8. 64
Herd charges—

Taxes, insurance, veterinary, medicines, and disinfectants........ 1.07 . 99 2. 06
IMLEKESHONICOWMMVEeStIMeNbs esate | tarsal = eetting Setar sist ele tess ctate 2. 95 2. 72 5. 67
Castiol keeping ull stew eee oe tote tee ate Meee aml te 1. 08 - 66 174
IMO CORALTTICKI CHATS Crise te osetia seein cette seleh orele re aur MS See ote 12 05 17
Cash hauling of mjlk.....-......---..-------- Pers eae A te Oh Reser | (EE en at eli 11

Total of other costs except depreciation on COWS...-..-.......------ 13. 05 11. 74 24. 79
DE PreclatlONlOMICOW Sree asec ase ne a sie elaicielaremsinteleic wis sie\s/le ga seeee eee 2. 92 2. 69 5. 61
MOotaOL-ObWeE: COStSt= eee etna Se. Leet eae A Rae SS 15. 97 14. 43 30. 40

The value of a ton of manure, which was considered to be the same
for summer and winter, was based on the market price of the fertilizing
constituents contained in it, which were as follows: Nitrogen, $0.375
a pound; commercial phosphoric acid, $0.075 a pound; and potash,
$0.275 a pound.

Only that manure which was saved or which could have been saved
by using reasonable care with the equipment available was credited
to the cows. It was not possible to weigh the quantity of manure
dropped by each herd, but a record was kept of the time the cows were
actually in the stables. This made it possible to figure the weight
of the manure voided in the barns, for, according to the best author-
ities, a 1,000-pound cow will produce 13 tons of manure in a year, or 64
tons in 6 months. The manure dropped on pasture was not credited
to the herds. If a credit had been given, then an offset charge for
fertilizer against pasture would have been necessary.

Since a cow during digestion utilizes on the average only approxi-
mately 25 per cent of the nitrogen, 30 per cent of the phosphorus,

6 BULLETIN 955, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

and 15 per cent of the potash, it is evident that 75 per cent of the
nitrogen, 70 per cent of the phosphorus, and 85 per cent of the potash
is available for fertilizers.

TaBLE 3.—Credits for manure and fertilizing constituents during the two winters and the
two summers.

Winter. Summer.
Item. an yes a,
1918-19 | 1919-20 | Average. 1918 1919 Average.
Totalananure savedss suc. 2 = sees. tons... 355. 2 360. 2 357. 7 329. 8 314.6 322. 2
Manure perncCOwe ease seer eeeee pounds.. 1,620 | 1,740 1, 680 1, 420 1,340 1,380
Manure credited per 100 pounds of milk,
DOWN GSH, 205 oe de conte cok aces 130. 4 125.1 127.7 81.6 74, 8 78.2
Winter average. Summer average.
Phos- Phos-
Nitrogen.| phoric | Potash. | Nitrogen.| phoric | Potash.
acid. acid.
Fertilizing constituents in manure,
DOUNIGSE G2. oes LEE ean. ae nee ee 3, 148 1,180 1, 860 2, 822 S073 1,678
Oredit per Cowmeesteosse ete eens pounds... 7.4 2.8 4.3 6.1 2.3 3.6

When obtaining the quantity of manure saved, a aumber of factors
were taken into consideration—the time the cattle were out of the
stables, making the manure unreclaimable; the quantity of lquid
lost through leaks in the gutters; and the loss frori leaching while
exposed to the weather.

According to the method used for determining it, a ton of average
manure saved was computed to contain the following fertilizing con-
stituents:

Natrogens 2227 Lael teh 2st eh eine ates: PN to, gee oe eel Ce ee Sree eae 8.8 pounds.
Commercial phosphorie acid’ <2. ZesSen she ae peta gs te er 2.3 pounds.
OLAShe ee Pe aint eas aS aa lg a dc een WU, Weg 2 Me eee ge ee ‘..5.2 pounds.

The demand for newborn calves was very limited and many calves
were given away, nothing being received in return. This accounts
for the low credit of $1.60 per cow for the first year and $3.01 for the
second year.

TaBLE 4.—Credits by years and by seasons for calves produced.

Year. Credit by seasons.
ras Both Both
(0) (0)
1ots-19 1919-20 winters. | summers.
INum ber of calves so... 52 ee Se ee 404 351 367 388
otalivalhie oficalvestss 5.06 ah Fake ete tien ye econ: $724.75 | $1,325. 59 $985. 00 $1, 065. 34
Average vahie of calves: tite sista) preg ae see he eee $1. 79 $3. 78 $2. 68 $2. 75
Calvesiper COW a. laot oak See ee ee see 0. 89 0. 80 0. 43 0. 42
Credit ipencow:*. hic 2 hey ee eyes fee eee $1. 60 $3. 01 $1.15 $1. 15
Creditmeril0o;pounds of milk ee 0.030 of 1 | 0.024 of 1 | 0.033 of 1 | 0.023 of 1
calf. calf. calf. cali

oe

MARKET MILK IN SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA. q

REQUIREMENTS FOR KEEPING A BULL.

There is a noticeable difference between winter and summer in
the feed and pasture requirements for a bull. The quantity of bed-
ding is so small as to be negligible, and is due to the fact that only a
few bulls received any bedding at all and then only for short periods
in the winter.

Many of the bulls retained in the herds increased in value during
the year and some bulls sold for beef during the year brought more
than their inventory value at the beginning of the year. These
conditions were brought about mainly by the unusual conditions
incident to the war period.

TABLE 5.—Requirements for keeping a bull, by seasons, based on averages obtained from
the equivalent of 24.3 bulls.

P Entire
Item. Winter. | Summer. year.
Feed:
POF ChAsediCONCENLTALeS seer seme nana ee cies aaa oe fifa oe eg pounds. . 667 459 1,126
FLOMIC-CrO WMI STAI Ss yae isis nic. cies Se sine seeinikt Sees sh ees. doseee 54 22 76
Motaliconcentratese sas ake es cee eee ees ce ie eiake es wrcieatae doles 721 481 1, 202
18 Rolla ys ee Cs RARE Sey eae Sis Ieee Se Ter ers a ee aE Pn pee $0. 58 $0. 49 $1. 07
INOHCOMMErcCIalrOU share aeeeee pases ee see nee a eaeteae pounds. . DQOGH eae ae 206
Commercialicanbohydrateyhaysanss een eee ee sees dove 170 136 306
Comimerciald eames beiye yey ere ya = eae spots eee ae ee ora dow: 230 37 267
otaltdnyroughagesws sc Meee Rete tsee Wie wate ab ic cr wha a ma doz... 606 173 779
Succulentmoughapeteey er eca aaa cie oes ye eis cee ee MN dowee 972 154 1,126
Bed din season Saale meals oe alee ieee Sealine Ceram hs SLU down: Ay erate Sretetorets 4
TER GUIS as O55 BA kn SE BAAR SSE Te eTos He H Hes Mate Seana bes seaie apy mba nets. elit $1.18 $3.48 $4. 66
ELUTINY BIND DOTS erasers iar oale eeieter—aicte ote layers ale wcteraaae Scie nia hatte hours... 17.4 16.2 33. 6
Other costs:
Imterestionibtllimmes tae ree ees eles ee ee tee fae ee eae $8. 21 $7.53 $15. 74
BUNZSishareron jo uil dim she esse ere aa orcs ree 2 cyanate taba ce a Ea 3. 94 3.61 Uo
Charcesfonoutsideibulllservice ese: occas Sets ehcteis a ae Verses os) cralermarceeal apse [telson a ora oat slit
TD OFAN OMOTHET COSUS eee aac mee aia creep RS aye oa) aT EE re aN yA 12.15 11.25 23,40
PASO DT CCLAUIOME actin cok tre ras trots woe e onto eee ee ue Rise en onie ats ee ee 10. 89 10. 00 20. 89
Motalrohouher COstsilessiap preclationes see 222 --e- eases oe a Sees 1. 26 1.25 2051

FACTORS INVOLVED IN THE PRODUCTION OF MILK.
FEEDS.

Ooncentrates is a term applied to grain, cereals, or seeds, or to by-
products containing a large quantity of nutritious substance in a
relatively small bulk.

Home-grown grains refer to concentrates grown on the farm or in
the locality where fed.

Dry roughage includes various hays and other bulky feeds which
are subdivided into three classes: (1) Noncommercial dry roughage,
coarse feeds, such as corn stover and oat hay, which ordinarily could
not be sold in large quantities on the city markets, and hay or other
dry roughage so foul with weeds or so damaged in curing as not to
be readily salable; (2) commercial leguminous roughage, which

8 BULLETIN 955, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

includes alfalfa, cowpea, lespedeza, and other marketable legume
hays when pure, or when so slightly mixed with grasses as not ma-
terially to affect the protein content; and (3) commercial carbohy-
drate hay, which refers to all nbneoinels hays ocr those classified
as commercial leguminous roughage.

Succulent roughage consists of silage and such feeds as sweet potatoes
and soiling crops.

The quantities of the various feeds used were obtained from
actual weights made by the field agent on his regular monthly visit
to each farm. Purchased concentrates were charged at the price
paid and home-grown grains at the market price less cost of market-
ing. The various salable roughages were charged at the market
price on the farm, and noncommercial roughages at a price commen-
surate with their value as compared with marketable roughage.

PASTURE.

On some of the farms, the pastures had been seeded and fenced,
and received considerable care. On other farms the herds were
allowed to graze over the “‘Piney-Woods”’ pasture, which consisted
of cut-over timber lands. This land produced some grass and con-
siderable underbrush. Practically the only charge for the “ Piney-
Woods”’ pasture was the extra time for a man and horse to hunt the
cows and drive them home. The pasture did not cost much and its
value as a source of feed was low.

a

LABOR.

The average labor rate per hour was obtained by dividing the
wages per month plus such extra consideration as board, house
rent, milk, and fuel by the total number of hours available for work.

The hours available for work during the month were determined
by the field man on his monthly visit to each farm. He noted the
time work began in the morning and when it ceased in the evening,
subtracting the time for meals and rest. The hours per day thus
obtained were multiplied by the number of working days in that
month, to which was added the work necessary on Sundays.

No charge for management was made, owing to the fact that no
satisfactory basis could be found upon which to make such charge.
The manager was allowed wages, for the time he worked as a regular
hand, at the same rate per hour as it would have been necessary to
pay if he had hired a man of equal skill to do the work. It should
be remembered, therefore, that in any place where costs are shown
the charge for skill of management has been omitted.

Table 6 shows that 75 per cent of the work in winter and 70.9 per
cent of the work in summer was performed by men. The remainder
of the work was performed by women or by boys and girls.

MARKET MILK IN SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA. 9

TABLE 6.—Per cent of labor performed and hours per 100 pounds of milk for each class

of help.
Winter. Summer.
-, Labor 5 i. : Labor
Distribution of work for 100 istribution of wor for 100
Class of labor. performed. pounds performed. pounds
of milk. of milk.

1918-19 | 1919-20 |Average.|Average.| 1918 1919 |Average.| Average.

Per cent. |Per cent.|Per cent.| Hours. |Per cent.|Per cent.|Per cent.| Hours.
Mana POs.) ees Neer h) 2 aud 29. 1 37.1 33. 1 1. 89 21.1 35.3 28. 2 1. 40
NITFEGNMON Ss seas eee aoa 37.4 46.3 41.9 2.39 41.3 44.1 42.7 2.12
Total man labor........ 66. 5 83. 4 75. 0 4, 28 62. 4 79. 4 70.9 3. 52
VOMIT sees Ge cae ee Saye 19, 2 1353 16. 2 . 94 WAS 18. 7 18.0 . 89
BOYS and einiss Sek Ly oe eee 14.3 3.3 8.8 552 20. 3 1.9 11.1 OD
TO Gale Mets eee ese ae 100. 0 100. 0 100. 0 5. 74 100. 0 100. 0 100. 0 4,96

OTHER COSTS.

Other costs include such charges on buildings equipment, and
cattle as interest, depreciation, taxes, and repairs.

TaBLE 7.—Percentage relationship between buildings, equipment, and cattle costs and
the capital invested.

Item. Buildings. | Equipment.; Cattle. Total.

CEE POUT IM aR SSSA 0 LE are AER 5 a RU eR $27,924.52 | $12,107.90 | $63,658.00 | $103, 690. 42
Capiialinvested pe COW ss.) .2dieee eos seeaeeee 31. 28 13. 57 71,31 116.16
Per cent. Per cent. Per cent. Per cent.

A ATE ESTE yt MAST LIS a ORES SRY lee 8.4 8 SEO yee eaacree
Mepreckatiomeesy ye tea es Ve ERA Seeley Paes Ras 6.3 30. 4 So RES he eee ee
TERDS oy DA ss Be es SIE Re Co eal RDN at Rs pa I (foliose: NP ena POU eter
POSIT ATICR eyes ciety Ee eC Oey ees MU Ea ee lat Dae TA fe ey eek VMS ahd [tan ie ocean AOS HET Spe net
BRPSCCW ANG TOPAITS «ooo 2 oe en eileen oe a eee roe bees 6.0 HOR Siete hve lec reo [el ceva crajetansy eye
Mere MACHINE MepAITS- otto nee cee see teen yee Es bs Ses aL RPARIN Hie = SER CMA cs ae Cee
MROLAINS SSE Es Sa LM eRe Ee ale he Sie 21.5 50.1 lz 2251

Table 7 represents the average relationship as it was found in
the dairies studied. It does not necessarily represent the standard
nor the most economical relationship between the factors.

The figures at the foot of each of the four columns show the per-
centage relationship of the cost to the capital invested as recorded

at the heads of the columns.
BUILDINGS.

At the beginning of the work the buildings and silos were inven-
toried at their replacement value in normal times. After the first
inventory, the subsequent values were determined by deducting
from the value at the beginning of the year the amount of deprecia-
tion during the year. The depreciation per year was based upon
the remaining years of usefulness of the buildings. Insurance
charges were taken from the receipts of the insurance companies.

10 BULLETIN 955, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The cost for upkeep and repairs was obtained by keeping a record of
actual expenditures made during the year. Necessary expenses,
such as roofing and painting, which do not occur every year, were
determined by prorating the costs over the length of life of the roof
or the duration of the paint and charging only the yearly share of

such expense.
EQUIPMENT.

Because of rapid wear and breakage farm tools and equipment
have a short life, which explains the depreciation charge of 30.4
per cent. The cost of such supplies as washing powder, coal oil,
and gasoline amounted to $1.99 per cow per year.

CATTLE.

Milk produced by a purebred cow has no greater value than that
produced by a grade cow. Raising purebred cattle is a separate
business involving larger investment and operating costs and re-
sulting in larger credits for calves dropped. To avoid the effect of
the purebred business upon the requirements for producing milk,
the purebred cows found in the herds, which consisted mainly of
grade cows, were given values equal to those of grade cows of cor-
responding production. Purebred calves were likewise credited as
orade calves from grade cows of corresponding production.

At the beginning and end of the year each cow was given an
inventory value. The first value was based on the price for which
the owner thought he could replace her. In order to avoid the
influence of market conditions her subsequent value remained the
same unless her owner thought that she had become a better or a
poorer cow. However, it was impossible in many cases to prevent
the market condition from influencing the judgment of the owner.

To obtain the depreciation on cattle, the value of every cow that
entered the herds during the year was added to the inventory at
the beginning of the year; from this result was subtracted the total

value of the cows at the end of the year plus the price received for
cows sold during the year.

Taxes chargeable to the dairy were taken from the official tax
records.

PERCENTAGE COMPARISON OF FACTORS INVOLVED.

A comparison of the cost of producing milk in winter and in
summer, and the items chiefly responsible for this variation are
presented in Table 8.

The totals of the cost of production in the first two columns show
that it cost 4.6 per cent more to produce milk in winter than it did
in summer. The feed, bedding, and pasture cost was 5.2 per cent

SY il cin Riel oie oe a

MARKET MILK IN SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA. 11

more in winter but the labor cost was slightly less in winter than in

summer.

The credit for calves and manure amounted to 7.2 per cent of the
total annual gross cost. On the farms studied the credits for calves
and manure failed by 15.2 per cent of the gross cost (18.2+4.2—
7.2) to equal the “other costs,’’ including depreciation on the herds.

TaBLE 8.—Per cent of total annual gross costs represented by feed, labor, and other
costs and credits for calves and manure, by seasons.

futire

Item. Winter. | Summer. year.

Per cent. | Per cent. | Per cent.
27.9 2 }

Beetiecd ind: bed dine costs see ae Time na a nea wd

PESTS COS ROH GE Ges Stas Bee iene AIS Sle orice et Be RUE ONT area ey PL Aa 1.4 2.7 4,1

Heed sibedding andipasture Coste ecesh a. 4 nes ease oes eee 29.3 24, 1 53. 4

PED OTECOS Lames men type eee Rca NS Meena EM ats, ce Sie te Oe et lL 2 12.5 24, 2

Other costs except herd inventory variation .-.-..............-.--..-----. | 9.2 9.0 18.2

otal cost except herdiinventory variation..9. 5.2). .-22.2 2222.22... | 50. 2 45.6 95.8

MO NLECIALOTLOMUNONG seats eee ce ed ee ok a ds ARON = Sma SPE 2.1 ail 4.2

MoOtalicostOmprogUCilOmmae ews. hp ae ete a a RN ar Nea ase o203 47.7 100. 0
Credits for calves and manure:

ELLOS Sette eee ane mee Near fate rs el de eM ETRE ny ath NE I IR et 0.8 0.9 1.7

VDERE P35 EPSP Sees Uap aL PT 9 a A a le tcp en eae 2.9 2.6 56)

Bel 3.5

AVERAGE COSTS COMPARED WITH BULK-LINE COSTS.

Table 9 shows the difference between the average and the bulk-line
costs. Considerable latitude is allowable in selecting the bulk line,
but it is usually selected to include from 80 to 90 per cent of the total
volume of milk produced. Thus the bulk-line cost indicates the cost

at or below which the greater volume of the milk is produced. Only

the dairymen having extremely high costs will have costs above the

_ bulk-line cost. This table shows the figures for each separate herd,

and the relative position of the average cost and the average income

in the scale of herd costs.

During the first winter 84 per cent of the milk was produced at a
cost of $5.67 or less per 100 pounds. The average cost of producing
milk for this same period was $4.97 and the average income received
from milk was $4.34 for each 100 pounds sold.

During the first summer the bulk-line cost might be placed at either

$3.37 or $3.44, since the table shows that 86 per cent of the total

volume of milk was produced at or below $3.37 and 90.4 per cent
at or below $3.44. The average income from milk sold during this
season was $3.07 per 100 pounds.

The bulk-line cost for the second winter might be placed at $6.59
or $6.74, since these costs correspond to 81.4 per cent and 87.2 per

cent, respectively, of the total volume.

12 BULLETIN 955, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

TaBLE 9.—Net cost, quantity, and per cent of milk produced by each herd, during two
winters and two summers. : :

Winter 1918-19. Winter 1919-20.

Milk produced. {ilk pr p
Cost per lp Cost per y prodnced
and Por dont’ | Gammubitiwel soak Percent | Cumul
ounds : er cen umulative ounds. : er cen umulative
y STEEN: of total. per cent. Quantity. of total. per cent.
Pounds. Per cent. Per cent. Pounds. Per cent. Per cent.
$3. 65 25, 469 4.7 4.7 $3. 22 48, 270 8.4 8.4
3. 94 41, 231 7.6 12.3 3. 74 31, 911 Jao 13.9
4, 28 32, 805 16. 0 18.3 4.62 26, 030 4.5 18. 4
4. 31 55, 007 10. 1 28. 4 4,75 27, 879 4.8 P35 Fe
DAY: FY, EN Maeght MASI lara tee Stop Na avin op ln Seda a pe. LC Y, UE Recent eee Ces) Cement ee erase oh SS
4, 53 28, 114 Del. BB EO 4,98 29, 695 Rae, 28.4 9
4. 62 21, 027 3.9 37. 4 5. 29 20, 366 3.5 31.999
4. 63 42, 384 7.8 45. 2 5. 39 32, 758 at 37.6.9
BANG Feet ie Mae Sal ae eta oi a 5. 43 31, 970 Dao 43.1
4,98 45, 478 8.3 5st i 5. 46 41, 967 7633 50. 4
4,99 25, 188 4,6 58. 1 5. 57 23, 593 4.1 54.58)
5. 02 55, 427 10. 2 68. 3 2:5: 57 || te ae a | oe
5. 34 40, 610 a5 75. 8 5. 87 21, 289 SLT 58. 248
5. 47 20, 624 3.8 79.6 6. 14 13, 563 2. 4 60.6
5. 67 23, 754 4.4 84.0 6. 20 26, 277 4.6 65.2 |
6. 26 53, 063 9.7 93. 7 6. 49 43, 810 7.6 72.8
6. 30 7, 647 1.4 95.1 6. 59 49, 597 8.6 81.4 |
6. 55 26, 950 4.9 100. 0 6. 74 33, 134 5.8 87.2
6.77 23, 893 Amat 91.3
6. 90 36, 338 6.3 97.6
6. 96 13, 608 2.4 100. 0
544, 778 EOOMO Wee es eer | ee eee ee 575, 948 100.030 st eae
Summer 1918. Summer 1919.
|
$2. 07 35, 700 4.4 4,4 $2. 02 60, 814 7.0 | 7.0
2.08 86, 067 10.7 16s 2. 06 58, 227 6.8 13.8
2. 42 78, 539 9.7 24. 8 2.39 42,348 4.9 18. 7
2. 45 40, 436 5.0 29.8 2.93 47, 959 5.6 24.3 |
2. 62 45, 251 5.6 35. 4 3. 08 29, 126 3.4 27.7
2. 82 31, 840 3.9 39.3 3.13 36, 180 4.2 | : 31.9
2. 88 40; 251 5.0 44,3 a5 63, 617 7. 4 39.3
r O80 Eel Ee neem ee | POM et eal ieee Pe eS 3.38 32, 357 3.8 43.1
3. 02 36, 369 4.5 48.8 3. 49 79, 340 9.2 S255
3.03 52, 455 6.5 55.3 2OE5L |e ison cn acs bs ooo ee eee
3. 04 37, 039 4.6 59.9 3.62 43, 543 5.0 BV RE:
Sale 76, 424 9.5 69. 3 3. 80 58, 674 6.8 64.1
3. 36 70, 210 8.7 78.0 3. 82 45, 902 5.3 69. 4
Shey 64, 837 8.0 86.0 3.99 61, 723 (6 76.6
3. 44 35, 066 4.3 90. 4 bE: Ba BOF Fe enn ) PRT Be iora | [Sek oe
3. 47 30, 209 S80 94.1 4, 32 36, 643 4.2 80. 8
3. 65 32, 043 4.0 98.1 4,56 19, 376 22 83. 0
BQN STA ee ate ee | RS ae ae ere ree 4, 60 65, 992 7.7 90.7 |
4. 47 15, 563 1.9 100. 0 4.91 16, 106 1.9 92. 6 |
4, 93 32, 188 Sak 96.3 —
4.98 31, 838 3H 7/ 100. 0 |
808, 299 | 100. 0 | pala te MeL eae ao | 861, 953 100. 0 | SA ee
1 Average income. 2 Average cost.

The high price of feed made the cost of production much higher
than it would have been under normal conditions. A study of the)
figures also shows that the cost of production will continue to be high _
so long as the average production of milk per cow is so low. i

Feeding the same quantity of grain to cows bred for higher pro-)
duction would possibly double the quantity of milk produced and
thereby increase the profits to the dairymen. The cattle tick has been |
eradicated from a large part of the section, and dairymen would find
the milk business more profitable if they would keep better cows and”
feed them in accordance with their productive ability.

|
|
|

MARKET MILK IN SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA. 13

A study of the records also shows that dairymen could save grain
by feeding more legume hay and succulent roughage. On many farms
a larger quantity of manure could be saved, which when spread on
the land would not only help to prevent he rains from gullying the
soil, but would tend to produce larger crops.

MONTHLY DISTRIBUTION OF FACTORS IN MILK PRODUCTION.

How did the income from milk and the quantity sold and used each
season compare with each other? How did the income and feed cost
by seasons compare? These questions can be answered by referring
to Table 10.

TABLE 10.—Distribution, by months, of milk prices, milk sold and used, feed cost, and
labor required.
YEAR 1918-19.

Pasture | Human labor. Horse labor.
Income and
Income | from Milk | Feed, | bedding

Month and season.

d minus
pounds | sold and an Per 100 Per 100
of milk.| and used pedo aoe nd | Pounds ae pounds bes
used. * | bedding | Of milk. * | of milk. Mie
/ credits.
Per cent.| Per cent.| Per cent.| Per cent.| Hours. | Hours. | Hours. | Hours.

October ss: se $4. 37 9 7.4 1.2 6.1 6.3 13.7 0.9 2.0
November... .3:.<: 4,36 7.0 6.5 8.4 7.4 6.2 12.1 8 1.5
WMecember.: << 2 =- 4, 30 6.0 5.7 9.0 8.0 7.4 t3a3 ial 2.0
PTUIANY (aco 5 25 oc021s/= 4.63 6.8 5.9 ils 7 10.7 6.6 12.5 1.0 1.9
HebnUALyin5- -.2:s)5- 4.60 6.3 5.6 10.6 9.5 6.2 10.8 1.0 Ub?
MATCH Eee eos Seca 3. 98 9.1 9.2 8.5 7.4 58S) 14.9 9 2.5
Wiainter:.-. 2. 4. 34 43.1 40.3 55. 4 49.1 6. 2 12.9 9 1.9

[Oe Aa eae 4.07 9.1 9.9 le 6.2 5.3 14.7 .8 O49
W EGR eC CED EHEEOOHEe 3. 92 10.0 10.3 68) 6.4 4.9 L522 -6 1.9
iit Gye ae eee 3. 88 9.6 10.0 7.0 6.1 4.8 14.3 -6 Weg,
LG 7S eer oe 3. 74 9.6 10. 4 7.8 6.9 9. 5 15.6 -6 is 26
BPAUIOUISt 22.5 -<:-/-502 0.2 3. 83 10.1 10.8 7.8 6.8 5. 0 14.8 -6 1.8
September.........- 3. 78 8.5 9.2 7.5 6.6 5.6 15.7 6 C 2.0
Summer...... 3. 87 56.9 59. 7 44.6 39.0 552, Ula 6 1.9

Viear so -52c: aioe Wp LEON SOLON ON MN AOO ON NNRSSlOAN hl aa7h Luteo yD Js 1.9

YEAR 1919-20

MICLOUEL .\- 6 ccs <'-< o5 5. 07 7.8 6.8 6.8 5.9 5.5 12.6 0.9 2.0
November.........- 5. 21 168) 6.2 tet 6.8 5.9 12. 7 .9 1.9
December ...-.-....- 5. 07 6.9 6.1 9.6 8.8 5.5 11.6 0 2.0
PARE) = 21-22 - = 6 << 4.95 7.0 6.3 10.8 10.0 owl 1b ls} sik UES
HISDEUALY...c-<-2-- 4, 81 7.0 6.5 9.3 8.5 4,8 11.4 SU 1.8
SOD eee eee 4, 64 8.4 8.2 10. 2 9.2 5.0 t3o3 = 0 2.0
WANED a2 «2-4 & 4.94 44.4 40.1 54. 4 49.1 Ono 12.2 28 1.9

oh 4,22 9.2 9.8 Fey Ge elie wae Ti 2.1
VE Vile GES 4.13 10. 2 11.6 7.6 6.8 4,4 14.8 a0 2.3
iG ree 4.03 9.6 10.6 1.2, 6. 4 4.5 14.1 .6 2.0
hee Ee 4.17 10.0 10.7 fle df To) 4.7 15.9 ad 2.3
ERSOTISL 3 i5bi-\. <.22\s 4.18 9.0 9.6 7.9 (pil Dd. l 15.0 8 2.3
September.......... 4.13 7.6 8.2 7.4 6.7 5.1 13.8 ail 2.0
Summer...... 4.13 55. 6 59.9 45.6 41.1 4.8 14.6 sid 2.2

BVI@AT on soe ons 4. 46 100. 0 | 100. 0 100. 0 90. 2 5.0 13. 4 8 2.0

— =

i4 BULLETIN 955, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. _

During the first year, 56.9 per cent of the yearly income from milk,
59.7 per cent of the yearly quantity of milk, and 44.6 per cent of the
yearly cost of feed, bedding, and pasture, came during the summer
season. This shows a difference of 2.8 between percentage of the in-
come from milk and the volume of milk. The difference between the
income from milk and the feed, bedding, and pasture cost amounted
to 12.3 per cent.

SUMMARY.

Feed, bedding, and pasture cost amounted to 53.4 per cent of the
total cost of production. Labor made up 24.2 per cent; and other
costs, including depreciation on herd, amounted to 22.4 per cent.
(See Table 8.)

The requirements for producing 100 pounds of milk in winter were:
Concentrates, 72.4 pounds; hauling and grinding grain, $0.095;
dry roughage, 38.3 pounds; silage and other succulent roughage,
78.4 pounds; pasture, $0.155; bedding, 0.3 of a pound; human labor,
5.8 hours; horse labor, 0.9 of an hour; total other costs, $1.220.
(See Table 1.) Credits for winter production -other than milk:
Manure, 127.7 pounds; calves, 0.033 of one calf. (See Tables 3 and 4.)

In summer the requirements were: Concentrates, 52.5 pounds;
hauling and grinding gram, $0.050; dry roughage, 1.9 pounds;
silage and other succulent roughage, 8.1 pounds; pasture, $0.197;
human labor, 5 hours; horse labor, 0.7 of an hour; total other costs,
$0.803. Credits other than milk: Manure, 78.2 pounds;.- calves,
0.023 of one calf.

To keep a cow one year it required: Concentrates, 1,893 pounds;
hauling and grinding grain, $2.14; dry roughage, 538 pounds;
silage and other succulent. roughage, 1,171 pounds; bedding, 4
pounds; pasture, $5.58; human labor, 164.5 hours; horse labor,
23.7 hours: total other costs, $30.40. (See Table 2.) Credits other
than milk: Calves, 0.8 of one calf; manure, 3,060 pounds.

To keep a bull one year requires: Grain, 1,202 pounds; hauling
erain, $1.07; dry roughage, 779 pounds; silage and other succulent
roughage, 1,126 pounds; bedding, 4 pounds; pasture, $4.66; human
labor, 33.6 hours; total other costs, $23.40; credit for appreciation
or increase in value of bulls, $20.89. (See Table 5.)

The dairy work was distributed as follows: Winter, men, 75 per
cent; women, 16.2 per cent; boys and girls, 8.8 per cent; Summer,
men, 70.9 per cent; women, 18 per cent; boys and girls, 11.1 per cent.
(See Table 6.)

Interest, depreciation, taxes, insurance, and upkeep and repairs
amounted to 22.1 per cent of the capital invested. (See Table 7.)

During each of the two winters the average Income received from
milk was 63 cents per 100 pounds below the average cost of production,

——

MARKET MILK IN SOUTHEASTERN LOUISIANA. 15

but during the first summer season the income received from milk
was 96 cents above, and during the second summer 63 cents above
the average cost of production. (See Table 9.)

Receipts for milk during the two winters were 43.1 per cent and
44.4 per cent of the receipts for the respective years. The net feed,
pasture, and bedding cost was 49.1 per cent of the yearly net feed,
pasture, and bedding cost for both the first and second winters.
(See Table 10.)

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