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Problems in Increasing Size of the Dairy Herd¹

Department of Animal Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana

ABSTRACT

New technology has led to many changes on dairy farms. During the last decade, large amounts of capital have been added to the farm family business. Prices for farm equipment have increased two and one-half times in the last 20 years; labor costs have increased five times (11). Whereas, herd size and production rates have increased substantially, size of the labor force has remained fairly constant.

The labor force confines itself primarily to and around the main buildings. Data by Ritchie (8) and Wing (11) indicate that 80% of the total work load is performed in these areas. On some large commercial dairies, notably in Florida and California, all of the labor is performed in and around the main buildings, since no feed is produced. On large farms in Massachusetts, procurement and keeping competent hired labor is regarded by most farmers as their most serious problem (7).

A labor analysis survey was made at the Chore-Boy Demonstration Farm at Cambridge City, Indiana, from July 1, 1961, to January 1, 1962 (9).

¹ Presented at the 12th International Conference of Scientific Management of Farm Work, C.I.O.S.T.A. Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana, June 11, 1964.