The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1917-12-09
Corn Shuld be
Fed Immediately
to Live Stock
BY THos. E. WILSON.

BY THOS. &. WILSON,.
Investigation in the corn belt states
APPEARS to Indicate that while the past
season has furnished that which is
termed a bumper corn crop, yet the
quality OF the corn now being gathered
Is such that the nation will experience
o tremendous loss from such crop,
UNLESS q very appreciabie percent 10
utilized Immediately in the feeding OF
five etock This statement is based
upon the following facts:
In many districts the percentage OF
soft corn resulting from early frocts
10 alarming. 1t appears that this par
ticular grade can not be conserved for
future use on account OF it's condition
greatly interfering with its keeping
Qualities, which necessarily means
that If stored it would undergo de-
terioriating changes that would con-
tribute to an enormous waste.
At many markets investigation fur
Their indicates that corn is being for
warded from farms without considera-
ton being given to proper separation
Of the choice from the soft corn. This
means that the farmer does not realize
full value of product so marketed. 1t
woud be much better for the farmer
from a financial stand point If he care
fully graded his corn and sold it up
on the basis OF the various market
am told OF specific instances where
certain cars having all the indications
of containing high percentage of
soft corn wou7ld, upon careful grad
ing, show less than forty percent of
this inferior grade.
However, information further indi-
Gates that on account of the soft corn
being mixed in with the choice, it is
necessary for the purchaser to set an
arbitrary price to properly protect
himself, which appears might not be
in line with what the farmer could
have realized on the combined value
Of the same car properly graded.
Recommendation has been made in
some sections that unless soft corn
can be utilized as i've stock feed, that
are possibilities of conserving part of
1t through various mechanical drying
processes.
IT, however. would seem that the i'm
portance of the present corn crop in
its relation TO the present and future
supply OF swine in this county that
the most economical means OF utilizing
the soft corn would be by feeding
same to swine. This recommendation
apears to carry considerable weight
at this particular moment, especially
when confronted with the fact that
thousands OF immature hogs are being
marketed which should be fed to ma
turity in order that our nation and
her allies not only ATTAIN food from
this source. but also the badly needed
fats and oils.
The undisputed facts in this con-
nection now confronting the nation
would appear to Indicate that the
farmer has never before been offered
such IN opportunity of increasing pork
production by the utilization of that
part Of Ms corn crop known to be OF
inferior quality.
The soft corn and the Immature
hog not only offers a profitable under
taking from q business stand point,
but further an opportunity Of doing
great patriotic duty toward assisting
IN the feeding the people of this coun-
try and also those of our allies. On
der normal conditions we would an
sttcipate q great shortage in our future
hog supply when considering the start
ling facts that thousands Of immature
swine are being daily marketed. IN
der such abnormal conditions IN con-
nection with our swine industry; one
who Us familiar with same and the
market conditions would naturally
feel concerned relative to the source
OF our future supply, OF pork products
The prevailing high prices paid for
hogs in addition to crop failure in the
drought stricken sections Of the Unit
ed states appear to be the most i'm
portant causes for this abnormal con-
saftion existing. It Is believed that
the United States Government can
greatly assist the producer. user, and
consumer by encouraging the divert
ing OF Immature hogs from our pub
Tic markets TO the farming sections
having soft corn available for feedne
purposes.
. AS before stated. this will also mean
increasing our hog population. giving
the nation the value OF such badly
needed increase besides greatly in
screasing the amount of prok, fats
and oils also extremely necessary at
this particular SINE.
It would seem that some equitable
plan can be perfected that win dis
courage the slaughtering of immature
hogs and also. give assurance that
both the producer and the farmer
maturing same will realize a reason
able profit.
It also apears to be important that
every. avenue through which the i'm
mature hog must pass in his transfer
from one section to another be so or
ganized as to permit such transfer
with reasonable dispatch and safety.
This might call for close cooperative
work between the various live stock
officials and transportation companies.
It is my opinion that such hogs
should not be transferred without
properly fortifying their systems
against the ravages OF infectious dis
eases, as 1t is important that we keep
not only our swine but all our live
stock in q healthy and Thrifty condi-
ton