Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-14

Farmers and pig raisers do not
always appreciate The value Of green
feeds and succulent pastures for their
animals. Too often the hog IS con-
sidered a scavenger and his ability
to use waste is regarded as his chief
value. However we'll he serves this
purpose. he will pay well for good
care. feed and housing.
Forage crops are especially bene-
ficia! to young growing animals. 1t
Is possible to grow them much more
profltably and successfully when a
good green field of palatable and nu-
tritious pasturage IS provided. Expert
ments and practical farmers expert
ences prove that gains in weight are
r.ade at less cost on forage than In
tho dry lot. Brood sows can be car
ried through the season on pasture at
less cost than when grain fields are en-
tirely depended upon. Foraging In
duces the animal to exercise and OBJ
tain fresh air, and these prevent dis
eases being contracted. and when the
animals are put in the fattening pen
their gains are unusually 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
method Of management. Younger ami
mails 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 a good
plan to have the brood SOW running on
green pasture at narrowing time, as
this Is conducive to a strong, healthy
litter of pigs. She should be kept on
green forage from the time she far
rows. 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 necessarily vary accord
Ing to the kind of crop used. If the
crop grown be rape, alfalfa. clover,
cowpeas, soy beans, or other crops
high in portein content, the grain ra-
ton need not be supplemented by
feeds high in protein. If blue grass,
rye. oats, or other non-leguminous
crops are grown, it is best to add a
small percentage of feeds high In pro-
tein to the grain. Corn or barley usu-
ally furnish the bulk Of the grain ra-
ton, and when necessary these can be
supplemented by adding one-tenth lin
seed-oil meal or one-sixteenth tank
age. The rate Of feeding will depend
on the grains desired. Considering a
full grain ration to be pounds daily
per 100 pounds live weight. we may
say that for ordinary work with grow
ing shoates a one-half grain ration.
or pounds a day for each 100 pounds
live weight, will give satisfactory re-
Suits If it Is desired to make faster
gains heavier grain ration can be
used, and if 1t is desired to maintain
the animals as cheaply as possible a
smaller percentage 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
condition. The fact that the forage
crops have high value when grains are