In recent years, growing of hogs in confinement has become a reality because of vastly improved rations and means of disease and parasite control. But it is still possible to use large amounts of forage with the breeding herd. Bred sows and gilts on legume pastures require much less supplemental protein and only about one-half as much grain as those in dry lots. An acre of good pasture should carry 8 to 10 sows. Forages selected for swine should be succulent and capable of high production, very palatable, high in protein and vitamins, and produce over a reasonably long growth period.
Pastures make possible a good swine sanitation and disease control program.
After swine have grazed pasture for one season, use the pasture for cattle or harvest hay from it for two years before using it for hogs again. A pig's physical make-up does not lend itself to using great quantities of pasture or roughage like sheep and cattle. But a 400-pound sow can handle relatively large amounts. Good forage can also provide quality protein and certain vitamins and can reduce total feed requirements. Research reports on feed savings for pigs on pasture vary considerably, depending on type of pasture, age of hogs, and management systems.