The Taney County republican. (Forsyth, Mo.) 1895-1992, 1914-03-05
The Value Of Forage Crops For Growing
Pigs.

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Pigs.
Farmers and pig growers do not al,
ways appreciate the value Of green
feeds and succulent pasture for their
animals. Too often the hog is con
sideTed a scavenger, and his ability to
use waste is regarded as his chief value.
However we'll he serve this purpose,
he will pay we'll for good care, feed and
housing.
Forage crops are especially bene-
fetal to youg growing animals. 1t is
possible TO grow them much more
proftably and successfully when a good
green field Of palatable and nutritious
pasturage is provided. Experiments
and practical farmers experiences
prove that gains in weight are made at
less cost on forage than in the dry lot.
Brood sows can be carried through the
season on pasture at less cost than
when grain fields are entirely depend
ed upon. Forging induces the ami
NAL to exercise and obtain fresh air,
and these prevent diseases being con-
tracted, and when the animals are put
in the Gattening pen their gains are un-
usually rapid and profitable. The
green feeds eaten are Of much value
just to keep the pigs digestive system
in good condition and the appetite
keen.
The entire hog herd can be run on
forage crops and will profit by this me
ihod Of management, Younger animals
seem to derive the most benefit and
fattening hogs the least. Herd sows
and the herd boar are benefited by
having green feeds. It is good plan
to have the brood SOW running on
green pasture at iarrowing time, as this
is conducive to strong, healthy litter
Of pigs. She should be kept on green
forage from the time she farrows. The
young pigs will soon learn to eat, and
the exercise and the green food in its
natural state will start them along in
good condition. The method Of
feeding when on pasture will neccess.
arily vary according to the kind Of crop
used. II the crop grown be rape, al,
lalia, clover cowpeas, soy beans, or
other crops high in protein content,
the grain ration need not be supple
mented by feeds in protein, II blue
grass, rye, oats, or other nonlegumin-
Gus crops are grown, it is best to add
a small percentage Of feeds high in
protein to the grain. Corn or barley
usually furnish the bulk Of the grain
ration, and when neccessasy these can
be supplemented by adding one-tenth
linseed-oil meal or one-sixteenth tank
age. The rate OF feeding will depend
on the gain desired. Considering a
full grain ration 10 be 4 pouds daily
per 100 pounds live weight, we may
say that for ordinary work with growing
shoats one half grain ration, or Q
pounds a day for each 100 pounds live
weight, will give satisfactory results
II it is desired TO make faster gains, a
heavier grain ration can be used; and
il ii is desired to maintain the animals
as :heaply as possible, a smaller per
centage should be fed.
1t seems doubtful if it ever pays to
try to keep pigs on forage crops alone.
These crops are sometimes sufficient
TO keep the pigs growing, but the gains
are not usually made economically.
Usually the pigs are kept at loss in
live weight. Where brood sows are
kept they should be given enough
grain to keep them in good thrifty con-
dition. The fact that the forage crops
have high value when grains are fed
does not mean that they should be fed
alone.
The crops best adapted to grazing
with pigs are alfalfa, rape, clover, blue
grass, bermuda, rye, oats, soy beans,
and cowpeas,. The nature Of the soil
the climate and the rainfall are infuen-
css that should govern the s'lection
Of the crops TO be used. Alfalfa is the
greatest forage crop on soils suited &c
its growth. Rape and clover are also