Masters Theses

Date of Award

3-1977

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agricultural Extension

Major Professor

Cecil E. Carter, Jr.

Committee Members

Robert S. Dotson, William M. Miller

Abstract

The purpose of this descriptive study was to compare the use of selected dairy production and management practices by Grade A dairymen in 32 major dairy producing counties at two time periods (i.e., FY 1970 and FY 1975) in order to indicate the amount of change in use of recommended production practices during the five year period. Factor-analytic techniques were then employed to determine interrelations between practices used by Grade A dairymen and to reduce the data into smaller sets of factors or components for further analysis. Data were secured through personal interviews by County Extension Leaders in each of the 32 major dairy counties. Each interview was conducted in the same manner following an interview schedule prepared specifically for each survey. The Statistical Package for Social Sciences computer program was used to analyze the data. Results of the data analysis were organized and summarized in separate tables, each dealing with selected aspects of the study. The approach to summary and interpretation of findings was basically descriptive in nature with emphasis upon comparison of practice use at the two time periods. Major findings of the study are briefly stated as follows: 1: The average herd size of Grade A dairymen in 1970 was 59 cows and an average of 10,029 pounds of milk per cow was produced. The average income per Grade A dairymen from the sale of milk in 1970 was $29,398. 2. Grade A dairymen in 1975 operated an average of 336 acres of cropland. It was also observed that the producers had an average of 11,981 pounds of milk and 449 pounds of butterfat produced per cow. 3. Eleven recommended dairy production practices were selected from the two dairy surveys for purposes of comparing the percentage of producers using these practices in 1975 with those in 1970. It was observed that the average percentage of all dairymen using each of the eleven recommended dairy practices had increased for six practices and had decreased for five of the practices between 1970 and 1975. 4. In reviewing the interrelations among dairymen's use of 21 practices in 1970 it was found that four practices were the most highly related to the use of the largest number of other recommended practices. These practices involved, breeding cows to a plus A.I. proof bull; providing of adequate forages; feeding grain according to production; and maintaining adequate milk production records. 5. Three of the 22 practices in 1975 where dairymen's use was measured qualitatively showed a high correlation with a large number of other practices. These practices were, checking the milking machine every six months; feeding grain according to production; and keeping dry cows separate from the herd. 6. Grade A dairymen's use of only one recommended practice was significantly related (p<.05 or greater) to their use of nine or more of the 16 recommended dairy practices measured quantitatively in 1975. This practice was defined as "What percent of your pasture land was limed and fertilized based on soil test at the time of seeding?" 7. Eleven of the 21 recommended practices were found to load most heavily on seven of the factors extracted from the 1970 Grade A Milk Production Practice Checklist Survey. 8. Twelve of the 22 practices were found to be highly related (loading of greater than .40) to the seven factors extracted from the 1975 data measured qualitatively. 9. Ten of the 16 practices factor analyzed were found to be highly related to the seven factors extracted from the quantitatively measured 1975 survey data. 10. The practices of "providing high quality forages," "keeping dry cows separate from the herd," and "the number of times per day the herd was checked for heat," accounted for a higher percentage of the variation in practice use among the dairymen than did any of the other practices included in the two dairy surveys. 11. The seven common factors extracted for the practices studied in 1970 accounted for about 50 percent of the variation in the use of the practices studied. Forty-seven percent and 58 percent, respectively, of the total variance in the use of all practices was accounted for by the common factors observed in the qualitative and quantitative measures in the 1975 dairy survey. Conclusions and recommendations are also included.

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