Show L e P r fr Low Feed Costs Mean Big Profits Greater Forage Crop Yield Is the Answer The route to lower feed costs cotI and higher profits for dairy farm farm- ers erg In the present highly competitive tive market lies lIu In doubling the yields yIeld of forage crops per acre via the Increased use of lime and plant nutrients reports Professor Emil chairman of the University Uni of Wisconsin's soils soU department depart depart- ment Professor points out that feed costs represent at least 50 per cent cent of the cost of producing milk I By doubling yields of feed and forage crops crop milk production costs can probably be reduced by approximately approximately ap ape proximately 20 per cent he says An additional 10 10 per cent reduce r Alfalfa yields on fertilized fields In Clark county Wisconsin Wisconsin Wiscon Wiscon- sin tests averaged tons per acre over a year three-year period compared to 45 tons on unfertilized under r- r fields tion in hi labor costs may be possible possible ble through further mechanization in feeding I and milking and other barn operations The use of better breeding stock might cut costs another another another an an- other 10 per cent making possible possible possible ble a 40 per c cent nt reduction In milk producing costs through these three means Doubling pasture and forage yields Involves greater use of lime Ume and fertilizer reports Professor For alfalfa applications of ot 1000 pounds per acre or more of a high potash fertilizer such as 10 Should be common he hes s says lYs The cost of liming timing and fertilizing In ing mK may run rul from 40 to 50 per acre aue but It quickly pays for itself according to Prof Every dollar Invested In lime Ume and fertilizer fertilizer fertilizer fer fer- normally produces increased yields worth 3 to 5 This Increase is largely profit because the labor cost in growing an acre of at crop cropIs Is practically the same regardless of the yield Cutting production costs can help protect the dairy Industry against competition from cheap substitutes Prof Proto says sas |