Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1918-05-29

soAA IL duOtueT. so Tar as Is now
known feed is the only substance cap
able Of changing pig into finished
butcher hog. The securing OF suitable
hog feeds is rapidly becoming diff
cult problem in many parts of Min
nesota. Such feeds are conveniently
considered in three groups, viz, /,
Pastures: 2, Farm feeds, and 3, Com
mercial feeds.
Fortunately hog pastures are as
cheap and as plentiful as in former
years. At present grain prices their
intelligent use means a net saving of
two to four cents on each pound Of
pork produced. The first care then
is to provide ample pasture. But how
ever excellent the forage, concen-
trates must be used with it If the pigs
are to yield satisfactory returns. The
puzzle is to supply the concentrates.
These will be either farm grown feeds
or commercial feedstufs (byproducts.)
New Feed Products Perplexins Prob
lem.
1t Is a perplexing proposition that
confronts the hog farmer. Wheat
feeds, his reliance for years, are prac-
tically of the market. He can pur.
chase only by-products from the mill
ing of corn, barley and rye. The avail
able materials are new to him and
worst of all there is lite or no stand
ardization of product. A purchase to-
day may be very different from the
same feed bought week ago. Corn
feed meal or hominy feed, barley feed
barley screenings and rye middHngs
are available. OF these, high grade
hominy feed is most satisfactory for
hogs. This quality sells around $4,000
per ton at the mills and costs the
farmer around $4,000. In most cases
sound corn at SITS per bushel is a
better value than hominy at $4,000 per
ton. Practically all barley feed con-
tains the ground barley hulls and
runs very high in fibre. as much as
fifteen to eighteen per cent. This
bulkiness combined with the fact that
hogs relish barley much less than
corn eliminates barley feed except
possibly a certain proportion mixed
with corn or hominy feed. Rye mid
dlhgs have feeding value about
equal to corn-on.cob meal. They are
best used with some other grains.
Oil Meal Equals Barley Az Feed.
In addition there are oil meal and
tankage. Pound for pound oil meal
is about equal to barley in feeding
value, though the one is a protein
feed and the other starchy one. But
when protein feeds are cheaper it is
good practice to use them as largely
as the health and gains permit. OIL
meal may be settled to pigs Of any
age that are intended for market,
though better results are secured
where corn or hominy feed Is used
with it. At $4,000 per ton oil meal is
as cheap as any concentrate available
to many farms. Tankage is solely q
high protein feed. During the present
summer market hogs will best pay
for it's use only where corn or hom1ny
feed is literally used. Straight milk
or buttermilk is worth sixty cents
per hundred pounds in comparison
with tankage at one hundred dollars
per. ton, both feeds delivered at the
pen.
At present the available farm
feeds are practically limited to
milk, corn and oats. Succo+ash
cannot be ground. The wheat
must be separated and sold, ieav-
Ing the oats for feed.
Corn 1T $175 per bushel costs $62.50
per ton, while 80 cent oats are equiv
alent to $56.25 per ton. For market
hogs corn is worth the difference. At
these prices corn and oats are as eco.
nomical as any satisfactory CONNER
cial food with which we are now fam
iliar.
Buy Commercial Feeds In Car Lots.
Where farm feeds may be had they
are preferable. The average farmer il
at q disadvantage in buying CONNER
cial feeds. Where possible individu-
ais should pool orders to cover at
least a carload and buy direct from
the mill. Beware Of jobbers whose re-
liability is not known.
Where a strong cooperative organi.
cation exists use it. Farmers Elevator
Companies can render excellent serv.
ice too. The safest plan IL to buy on
sample (not less than two pounds.)
Secure q guaranteed statement OF
chemical analysis. If the feed does
not prove satisfactory this gives one
more chance of checking up on It BY
having an analysis made.