No Roger. The reading comprehension was correct.
Minimum wage was $1.60.
There was a national shortage of milk production, and milking stock was ridiculously high.
We sold many springer heifers (pregnant, near term with first calf) that summer for $1400 plus. A couple of exceptional critters for about $1600. Heifers brought more than a three year old cow, as that cow could rightfully be considered to be your cull.
A few short years later milk was a glut on the market and you could hardly give cows away.
The cycles are astounding. Just a few years earlier, dairy farmers would hit bull calves in the head with a hammer. You would be lucky to even get a bid to pay for gas if you hauled them to the sale yard. Then in 72-73 people were driving to the farm begging to buy still wet, day old holstein bulls for $100 to $140. Yeah, a week or two week's wages on a gamble that you could even keep the little critter alive to weaning.
Dad was strongly encouraged to sell enough of the herd to eliminate all debt on the farm. He could have easily done so and we could have built the herd back debt free.
But no. he was sure there was no end to the boom. Ten years later he sold the entire herd for a few pennies on the dollar compared to 73.
Some of the neighboring farms did have heifers stolen from their corals when the prices were very high. None of the dairies around us branded their stock. Which made them easier to sell as stolen.
