The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-05-21

fore one can determine what is the
right amount of corn to feed along
with pastures when hogs are being fin
ished for the market. A definite
answer cannot be given to the ques-
ton. How much corn shall I use with
my pasture? First, the condition Of
| the hos at the end OF the feeding
period must be taken into account
The hog that has received light grain
| feed along with pasture viii not be in
as good killing condition at the end as
will the hog that has received a heavy
grain feed, notwithstanding the fact
that the former may have gained as
rapidly as the latter. The first hog is
not worth as much as the latter to the
butcher. For instance, the hogs killed
out Of Lot (one-fourth grain ration)
dressed only 6s.8 per cent, while those
killed out of Lot 2 (one-half grain
ration) dressed 1877 per cent. The in
creased amount of grain had bene-
fetal effect upon both the carcass and
the conformation. The hog which re-
ceives but q small allowance OF grain,
In addition to a pasture, comes through
to the end with big belly region
which makes him dress a low per cent.
The buyer will be compelled to deduct
from the price Of the hogs which have
received the small grain ratio non &C
count Of the low dressing per cent; al
though he may gain as rapidly as the
animal which received a heavy grain
ration, still he will not be in AS ac-
ceptable killing condition as will the
heavy granted hog. Second, the
amount Of corn at the disposal Of tho
feeder must also receive consideration.
When there are large amounts of corn
upon the farm to be disposed Of,
there is no better way to market ii
than through hogs on pasture, so the
question Of finding a good and high
priced market for corn. When this IS
the case, it would no doubt be wise to
feed the animals literally of the corn,
so that the supply may all be used
before the spring months arrive. No
farmer can afford, under present con-
ditions, to sea his corn directly upon
the market, as corn-even for 81 a
bushel. In the above tests from $196
to $4.25 were secured for each bushel
Of corn when hogs sold for seven cents
pound live weight, the larger prize
being secured when the light ration OF
corn was used. Some farmers hold
that the most profitable method is to
feed no grain at all when the hogs
have the freedom of a good pasture,
but 1t is seen from the above prices
realize on corn that the man who has
corn to sell can make more money by
feeding 1t in conjunction with the pas
ture than by selling 1t as corn. Third,
the amount of available pasture will
have something to do with the amount
of corn to feed. If the area of pas
ture is small for the number Of hogs
on hand, it would pay to be liberal
with the corn in order that the pasture
may be extended over as long a period
Of time as possible. The grain will
save the pasture, as the above figures
show, and all of the hogs will have a
greater opportunity to get the benefit
of some pasture. That is, it is no
doubt better to save the pasture (when
pasture Is :scarce) with an increased
amount Of grain. than to Craze the
pasture down rapidly on account Of
Withholding grain. Fourth, the amount
OF grain used depends also upon the
length Of time the farmer has to get
the animals ready for the market. If /
the a-&nsls must be killed Or sold |
within Il few weeks, It pay pay to |
use heavy grain raticn with the pas
tureture, as the hogs will gain much !
more rapidly upon a full grain than
upon a light grain ration, Many |
farmers claim that hogs while on pas |
ture will gain no more rapidly when |
a full corn ration is added than when !
1t is withheld, but the results secured |
in these tests show that when three |
fourths corn ration was used along
with pasture the gains were one-third |
faster than when a one-fourth ration
Of corn was used. When prices are
ruling low, and there is a good pros
pect for an advance, it may be wise
to simply carry the hogs along on the
pasture. plus a light grain ration Cor
no grain at alb until the prices ad-
vance. If hogs are selling at a good
figure, and there is danger of their de-
preciating IN value on account of
prices falling, 1t would be the part of
wisdom to finish rapidly through the
liberal use Of grain. There is still a
fifth factor that has to do with the
amount Of grain that should be used
along with the pasture crop. It is we'll
known that our common pasture crops, |
as peanuts, soy beans, etc, make soft
pork. II the hogs are to be sold upon
a market which discriminates against
soft meat, 1T would pay to use some
corn along with the grazing crop: the |
corn prevents the meat from becoming
as soft as when pastures alone are |
used; the greater the amount of corn
used the harder the meat at the end |
of the grazing period.
Carrying Capacity of One Acre Soy |
Beans.-It should be again noted that !
the pigs, to begin with, averaged about |
As pounds in live weight. At the end |
Of the grazing tests they averaged |
about 125 pounds in live weight OF |
the length of time that one |
acre of soy bean pasture lasted de-