A PROFITABLE COW.

Shannon News, 24 July 1928, Page 1

A PROFITABLE COW.

AN INSTRUCTIVE BALANCESHEET. It is interesting to know (writes acorrespondent) that at the Ceptral Experimental Farm, Ottawa, Ontario, the Government of Canada keeps a large number of cows and other farm animals under test conditions. Every year the ■' ‘Dominion Animal Husbandman” ■makes a report, in which the production and maintenance of the dairy cows in particular are given in great detail. More than one intending emigrant asks, ‘ ‘ How much income would I make from, say, fifteen or twenty cows?” Of course the-question, is absurd. It would be quite as reasonable to ask, “How much income would fifteen or twenty people, all working, make in England?” The answer naturally depends on the people and the quality of their labour; ' fifteen or twenty doctors would make 1 a larger joint income than the same number of labourers. Still, the balance-sheet of the best animal in this Ontario herd null no doubt be interesting:—Name of cow, Sarah Ann Pontiac; breed., Holstein; age, seven years; date calf was born, December 12; number of days in lacta- , tion period, 383; total pounds of milk for period, 25,782; daily average yield o*f milk, over 661 b.; average per cent, of fat in milk 3.41; pounds of butter produced in period, 1093; value of but-, ter at 45 cents per pound, 491 dollars, and 95 cents; value of skim milk at 30 cents per ewt.,. 74 dollars 70 cents; total value of product, 566 dollars and 65 cents; amount of meal eaten at 32 dollars per ton, 73901 b.- amount of roots at 4 dollars and 10 cents per ton, and silage at 3 dollars 45 cents per ton,, 12,7401 b; amount of hay eaten at 6 dollars and 60 cents per ton, 29121 b; months on pasture at 2 dollars per month, two months; total cost of feed .between calvings, 153 dollars and 82 cents; cost to produce 1001 bof milk, 59 cents; cost to produce one pound of butter, skim milk neglected, 14 eents; profit on one pound of butter, skim milk neglected, 31 cents; profit on cow betweeri calvings labour and calf ne- / glected, 412 dollars and 83 cents. The uvcra 0 e profits from the herd of 21 Holstein cows on the Central Experimental farm between calvirigs (the cost of labour and the value of the calf being left out) is given at 148 dollars per cow. The milk produced during the period averaged 11,5901 b. per cow, while the butter production averaged 47711?. per eow,