The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1884-09-26
Ripcnlng Grass-Fed Pigs in Fall.


tt is well known that the growth
made by grass upon cattle or pigs Is
more sappy, or contains more water
than that made from grain, and, when
these grass cattle or hogs are fed upon
grain, .hey do not gain in weight for a
short time. because the grain produces
fat to take the place of the redundant
water. This may be considered as
ripening up the growth made on grass
When the pigs are fed small amount
OF grain with pasture. the flesh is solid
er and less watery. The effect of turn
Ing a fat hog or steer to grass in spring,
is just the opposite; the solid flesh is
soon perneated with large proper
ton of water, which adds considerable
to the weight. but very little to the
value. as the pig VIII dress away the
principal part of this additional weight
put on by grass. This effect must be
calculated upon, and it should be
known that the iirst grain fed in fall
will be used to ripen up the summer
growth. without adding 10 the weight;
yet it adds to the value of the carcass
rs much rs any like amount of grain
fed afterwards.
The grass is none the less valuable in
the growth of young pigs, because the
growth takes on this condition. The
food is all utilized to the best adyan-
tage, and produces a profit both in
health and growth. The addition to the
weight is often very rapid, and then
when grain is added to the grass the
feeder is disappointed. because it does
rot increase the growth rapidly, be
quite misunderstands the philosophy OF
the case. This is the true reason for
the different reports made by those who
pasture pigs. feeding some grain, and
those who pasture without grain. 1t
has led to the opinion that grain was
thrown away on pigs at pasture. But,
from our point of view, it will be seer.
that the grass and the grain are each
doing duty for their whole value in the
growth of the pigs. And it is better
that grain should be fed in small guam
tity with pasture. and then the growth
will be ripened as fast rs put on.
We think pigs pastured through the
summer should be well fed in fall, so
as not only to ripen up the summer
growth, but to add to it largely before
the cold season. II is getting to be
generally believed that pigs are most
profitable when ripened and sold at ten
months; that when well fed they may
be brought to three hundred pounds
weight at three hundred days old. and
that all that is put on beyond that is
produced at a loss that is. that pigs
narrowed March l should be ready for
sale January /. This requires good
feeding from the first day to the last.
But this weight can be produced upon
pasture and eighteen bushels of corn;
and when twenty dollars can be real
lied for the pig. the transaction should
be profitable. 1t would be better. and
often cheaper, TO feed some middlings
with the corn. But if the pasture was
good, the corn would not injure the
pigs, although the middl.ngs or ships
would be healthier. as par. of the food,
especially when the pigs were very
Young CT just weaned. If the best profit
is to be realized, the pigs must be
pushed judiciously e.ery day OF their
iives-and this grass diet WI make it
safe to do National Lire Stock
,iOurA n,