The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1908-09-03
Farm Notes
RAlslNo BACON HOGS.

"A. J. Mcclure. superintendent OF the
Northeast Experiment Farm says In the
Northwestern Agriculturist:
Owing to the fact hat corn IL not
grown in northeastern Minnesota as safe
ly and ~abundantly as barley and peas It
has been considered more profitable to
raise a bacon breed OF hogs rather than
the lard breeds. For this reason q bacon
Iibreed uhe large improved Yorkshire) has
been raised exclusively on the experiment
farm. II is this breed that is raised so
extensively and profitably in Canada and
on precisely the same feed as is grown
here In abundance, clover. roots, barley,
peas and the by-product OF the dairy,
skim milk.
The method of raising pigs on the ex-
pertinent farm Is to have the sows farrow
in March and April. A good clover pas
ture is provided and the young pigs are
turned on this when weaned at from six
weeks to two months old. In connection
with the clover pasture they are fed skim
milk and a little shorts, one pound to
three pigs per day. September j barley
and peas are added TO the ration. For two
months they are fed as much as they will
eat, which generally brings them INTO
prime condition for bacon. Their average
dressed weight November / is from $50 TO
$50 pounds. The average price for this
kind Of meat on the local market the past
three years has been 81 cents a pound.
The cost of producing 1t including the
feed OF the brood sows during the winter,
has been AZ cents per pound. marking a
| net profit of $500 per hundred. This profit
may be, considered good in hog raising in
any section, even where corn is grown
abundantly.
1t is possible in this section of the state
| by the use of clover pasture and skim
milk. and by having the pigs come early
In the spring and disposing of them as
soon as they car be fattened after the pas
ture season in the fall, to raise pigs as
profitably as anywhere in the state. The
increased demand for choice bacon makes
this subject OF raising bacon pigs in con-
nection with dairying in this section of
Minnesota a matter worthy of considera-
tion.
During the past three years eight pigs
have been raised by SOW on the experiment
farm. This is a large average, but II Is
characteristic of the Yorkshire breed to
produce large filters and Of strong consti-
tuition. D
The brood sows on the experiment farm
are wintered on second crop clover, boiled
roots, skim milk and a very small allow
ance Of grain "a half pound per head per
day.. They are comfortably housed, with
access to a yard during the day, exercise
being very necessary. They are bred In
December to farrow in March, and only
one litter a year. Fall pigs on pay.
Only brood sows should be carried
through the winter, and when a SOW has
proved to be a good mother she should be
kept as long as she Is productive, which is
generally from Jour to five years.
The chief point to remember In raising
pigs in this section Of the state is tina
about the only feed that profit can be real
lied from is clover pasture and skim
milk. The expensive grains will only fin
ish the product that has been grown on
the inexpensive pasture and by-product
of the dairy. Therefore aim TO have the
pigs come in early spring, and have a
good pasture ready for them when they
are ready for pasture.
The bulletins that have appeared pre-
vious to this and a few to follow conclud-
ing the 1907 report, will be put in pamphlet
form, n any one desiring this publica-
ton may secure the same upon applica-
ton.
Send your name and address on a postal
card to the Northeast Experiment Farm,
Grand Rapids, MINI, and 1t will be put
on file for all future publications.