Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1888-02-02
FOODS FOR HOGS.
Results OF An Experiment. Made Mt tn
Illinois College of Agriculture.

Results of An Experiment Made Mt the
Illinois College of Agriculture.
Bulletin No. of the College of Ag-
riculture of the University of Illinois,
is record of experiments conducted
by Thomas F. Hunt. Experiment No.
1 was 10 determine the value of skim-
milk rs compared with corn meal. and
the value of shelled corn rs compared
with corn meal. After detailing the
experiment Mr.. Hunt says: It appears
that under favorable conditions. it re-
quires 10 to Is pounds of skim-nilk to
produce one pound of increase; that
from q to 81 pounds of skim-milk are
equivalent to one pound of corn meal;
that the best results are obtained
where the amounts of milk and corn
meal used are about in the ratio of 2
to 1; and that when the price of corn
is 80 cents or less per bushel. skim
milk can not be econ omically fed to
fattening hogs, except where it is a
waste product which can not be util-
lied in feeding young animals.
Comparing the lots fed corn meal
with those fed shelled corn. it was
found that about 103 pounds of in
crease were produced by a bushel OF
corn; about 10 pounds by bushel of
corn meal. The greater cost of food
per 100 pounds of increase from corn
meal practically % cents) was main-
ly due to the cost of grinding. The
hog raiser considers difference of %
cents per 100 pounds an important
matter in selling bunch of hogs. The
same difference in the cost of produce
ton is more easily within his control.
Looked at from all sides these trials
indicate that when fed dry, whole corn
produces better results than corn
meal. These gains were made during
the very variable and sometimes
severe weather of January and Feb
ruary, and fthe food consumed-corn
only, be it observation-disclosures on an
average of 50. As per 100 pounds of in
crease and the hogs sold at the close
of the trial for SIS per cwt, leaving
handsome margin of J profit besides
the increased value of the hogs per
pound during the feeding. !
The oft-repeated statement that corn
alone is not the best food, on even O
fit food upon which to fatten hogs,
led to trial of oats in connection
with corn, these being generally the
most available foods to hog-raisers
during the winter. Hogs fed corn
meal and ground oats mixed in equal
parts produced 100 pounds gain at a
cost of S. 80. This compared with
corn meal at 81. So per 100 pounds of
increase makes the mixed food cost
$1.32 more for the same amount.
When corn is worth % cents per
bushel, oats fed in this way to fatten-
ing hogs are worth but 10 cents per
bushel. A bushel of corn produced
nearly as much pork as three bushels
of oats. a.
Four small pigs averaging 153 pounds
in weight and four to six weeks old.
were given as a preliminary alton as
much corn meal and milk rs they
would consume without waste for two
weeks. They were then separated into
two lots of two each tor two weeks
One lot weighed Al pounds and were
fed all the skim-milk they would drink.
which was 5 pounds per day. They
made no gain. The other lot were fed
all the corn meal and skim-milk they
cared for. They consumed AZ pounds
of skim-milk g pounds per day. and
81 pounds of corn meal. gain
ing 131 pounds. They were
again placed together and fed
the same food for eight weeks
During this period they altogether
consume 344 pounds of corn meal and
1856 pounds of skim milk, the milk be-
ing discontinued the last two weeks.
Those which had previously been on
skim milk diet for two weeks, gained
80 pounds, while those which had been
fed corn meal with milk all the time.
gained II pounds, or 80 pounds in
favor of the latter. This simple ex.
perime MT shows that little cause may
produce serious results, and that con-
tinuous good feeding is necessary to
keep the growing animal in a condi-
ton to make the most of foods which
may be given it in the future. -Prai,Ss
b