The Logan Republican. [volume] (Logan, Utah) 1902-1924, 1916-02-10
Useful Hints
on Hog Raising
The Disadvantages of Low Markets
May Be Overcome by Timely
Breeding and Also by Good Care.

Breeding and Also by Good Care.
The low prices received for hogs
during the past year have been dis
couraging to some Of the hog raisers
Of the country. The hog should be
a paying animal. HE requires less
labor, less equipment, less capital,
makes greater gains on 100 pounds
of concentrates. reproduces himself
faster and in greater numbers and
returns the money faster than any
other farm animal The fact re.
mains, however, that prices paid for
hogs are low and discouraging. In
spite of these prices the animal that
possesses the above advantages can
still lift mortgages for his owner II
, he will study and apply some Of the
fundamental principles underlying
the business.
To begin with, the best can be
made Of a poor market by having the
hogs ready at the time when they
are most wanted by that market.
This normally occurs during the
spring and again during early fall.
The September and October market
is usually the highest. How can the
farmer take advantage of these facts
to the greatest degree? In the first
place, the hog wanted by the market
usually runs between 175 and 225
pounds. Fortunately this is the most
economical weight at which to dis
pose of the hog. Up to this point his
grains are made very cheaply. Be-
yond 800 pounds 1t is doubtful II un.
der general conditions feeding can
J be made a profitable business.
The hog IL properly fed can readi.
ly be put upon the market at 200
pounds in six or seven months. There
fore have the pigs for the September
market dropped in the latter part of
February or during March. This
will require that the breeding of the
sows begin about the latter part of
October or November first, continu'
ing, II necessary, during the first
week in December. The pigs for the
April market should be dropped in
early September.
These pigs can then be weaned be-
fore the November breeding season
starts. To have the pigs dropped in
September 1t will be necessary to
breed the sows during May or early
June. Under certain conditions II
NAV be impossible to bring hogs to
the 200 pound mark at six months
however, great effort should be
made to attain this goal, as time
means money, and the longer hogs
are held the greater will be the la
Dor and overhead charges. The cost
of feed for maintenance also will
be increased.
Further. in connection with the re-
lation of markets to hog raising, II
] VIII NC HctiSou III Sums WI 49,
history OF some of the leading mar
kets for the last ten years or SO
that there is a recovery every two
70 four years. It might be well
therefore, to remember that this is
poor time to close out as a reaction
may be expected and the wise farm
er will be ready when 1t arrives.
Care During Breeding
On the average farm there should
be radical improvement in breeding
and the care OF details during far
rowing, weaving, etc. There are
many complaints throughout the
country either Of small filters OF
else a great mortality in pigs. BY
keeping the production records Of
sows and selecting from those that
produce and raise large average lit
tiers a breeder can raise to its most
efficient point the size of his litters
This probably runs between sever
and eight to the litter. The hog rails
er can prevent losses, other thar
those caused by disease, by provid
ing proper shelter for the SOW al
narrowing time. In the South this
shelter can be constructed cheaply
and even in the North, 1t can be
provided in most cases at a moder
ate cost. The farmer should always
be present at narrowing time, but
should not interfere with the SOW
unless necessity calls for his assist
ance. The raiser should always cul
tivate the confidence of his animals
by quiet and humane handling; this
care and attention in times of neces
sity will pay big returns. The pigs
upon arrival should be rubbed dry
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