DAIRY FARMING COSTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21868, 2 August 1934, Page 13

DAIRY FARMING COSTS

Sir. —-Evidently your correspondent "Fair Play" does not know much about the actual conditions of farm work. Possibly he is what is known as a "fireside farmer." As I have a farm which carries 50 milking cows, perhaps my practical experience, which is typical of many others, might be of interest. This farm contains 80 acres, ajl level, fairly good land, with no waste. It cost £35 to £4O an acre to break in and improve. Say the capital value is £2BOO. The yearly interest on that sum at 5 per cent is £l4O. Rates and insurance, £26; value of 50 cows, two bulls, and .two farm horses, £SOO, at 6 per cent, £3O; implements and machinery, such as mowing machine, hayrake, topdresser, disc, plough, harrows, waggon, milking machines, separator, etc., £350, at 6 per cent, £2O; electricity for milking, tubing, oil, etc., £3O; fertilisers, £54; farm hand; at 25s per week and found, say, £IOO per annum; renewals (material only), fencing, gates, culverts, shed and yards, £3O. Total outgoings, £430 for the year. Now, as to the income from the farm. The average yearly return of butter-fat per cow in New Zealand is 1851b., but as these cows, as well as the farm, are a little better than the' average, thev produce, say, an average of 2001b. butter-fat, or 10,0001b., at nearly lOd per lb, which equals £416. Profit from pigs, and sale of cull cows, £44. Total income, £460. But I work longer hours and harder than my farm assistant, and there is but £3O available for my share, and. possibly a few pounds to pay for a little extra labour required during the haymaking season. Yet I have all the worry of the farm and responsibility of management. Butter-fat Farmer.