Rensselaer Republican, Volume 26, Number 21, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 January 1894 — Cost of Butter at the World’s Fair. [ARTICLE]

Cost of Butter at the World’s Fair.

The first 15 days shows that the 15 cows in each breed, were fed at the following expense: Guernseys $47.10; Jerseys, $56.08; Short horn $51.84. This makes the food cost of butter produced by them to be for Guernseys 12.8 cts. per lb; Jerseys 13 cts, and Short horn 15.3 cts. per lb. Cost of daily ration per cow: Guernseys 20 93 cts; Jerseys 24.92 cts; Short horn 22.87 cts. Estimating the butter produced at 27 cts. per lb., the Elgin price, the Guernseys product exceeded its food cost by $51.90; the Jerseys product by $60.31, and the Short horn product by $38.98. Showing an average daily profit per cow of 23 cts. for Guernseys; 26.8 cts. for Jerseys, and 17 3 for Short horns. It will be seen that the Jerseys lead in the contest. But it is claimed by the Guernsey men that while they had but a few thousand cows distributed all over the United States, to pick from, the Jersey men had at least sixty thousand. The Short horn men claim that if the gain in flesh while being on the test had been taken into account they would have come out ahead.

So you have it. One thing is sure, the test was made fairly and on the basis that was agreed upon before it began. We believe that the same rules that govern in breeding for beef will apply in bleeding for milk. A thoroughbred is not the most profitable for beef, neither is a thoroughbred cow the most profitable for milk. Halt-breeds will, as a rule, give more milk, whijfe perhaps not quite so rich, yet the quantity will more than offset the difference in quality. In selecting cows look well to their past history, and buy none that does not show a good milk record, and above all top the herd with a thoroughbred Jersey bu’l, that has a good record. These tests refered to above have done a great deal of good m the way of education on the dairy subject. and it would be a good idea for I our dairymen to study those tests. One of the pleasant features of the subject is that some of our best farmers are lead« rs in dairying and are givi»|; h<-: übje •' both practical and theoraetcal investigation.