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~ o 00 - 28 - productivity resulted in yield increases of 20 percent in nasture production, and slightly more than 20 percent in hay and ~rain production, with slirhtly hirher costs. The over-all size of the rnnch operation was kept at 200 head of breeding cows at the hirh productivity level, so a smaller total acreare is required. Since the number of cO\~ units is unchanped, the effect on sales is rather small, and the effect upon costs occurs through a higher cost per acre on a reduced number of acres. Water costs and interest on investment are also reduced. On the hiph leve 1 of efficiency, labor was reduced to about 60 percent of the requirement at the moderate efficiency level for alfalfa and small grains, and re- quirements on irrip,ated pasture were reduced to about 75 percent of previous re- quirements. There was also a reduction in machine use and costs for operating and repairing machinery, although not as great as the reduction in man labor. With high efficiency and high productivity, returns to selected factors are adequate to cover interest charges, pay water costs, and leave a small positive return to operator's labor. It is still far short of a parity return as previously defined. Effect of Varying Livestock Productivity.--The effect of an increase in calf crop and an increase in sales weights of calves was also tested. Hi~h productivity and high levels of efficiency were assumed. If the calf crop could be raised to 90 percent and sales weights raised to 450 pounds for steer calves and 420 pounds for heifer calves, the return to operator labor would be increased to $2,236. This is an extremely optimistic alternative. Productivity of crops has been budgeted at a high level. Efficiency in labor and machinery use is at a high level. Productivity of cattle is at a hirh level, and even at these optimistic rates of production, a 200-head beef-cow herd on irrigated pasture fails to meet minimum standards for a living allowance.