An analysis of Kansas Holstein herds in
1992 indicated that the yearly milk production
per cow had a significant effect on
returns to labor and management. The
lowest quartile herds (13,445 lb per cow
average) had a negative return to management.
Herds averaging 20,614 lb per cow
yielded $479 return to management. Records
become increasingly important in
managing the dairy operation, especially
those that are readily analyzed and predict
the degree of economic change when management
is modified.