Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1922-04-19
HOGS THRIVE / ! !; ON
PASTURE CROPS

Hogs aro Natural Grazers, Says Prot.
Kiser, and When On Pasture
Make Good Gains
Mr.. O. M. Kiser, Animal Husband
man at the Northwest Experiment Sta
ton, Crookston, has given consider
able study to the problems involved in
economical pork production. He states
that it is generally conceded among
pork producers that the proper use Of
suitable pasture crops for hogs de-
creases the cost Of production. Not
only is the cost decreased but the ex-
tensive use of pastures is necessary
in order to obtain the maximum de-
velopment Of the hogs
The raising of hogs in northwestern
Minnesota is annually becoming q
more important project on the aver
age farm. The man who produces
pork for the market and the pure bred
breeder Of hogs as we'll, must reckon
carefully the costs of production.
The practice Of raising suitable pas
ture crops for hogs increases the num-
Der of hogs that can be raised from
a given area at the same time it is a
good practice from the standpoint Of
general farm management since it re-
suits in saving of labor and helps
to keep the pigs in a more healthy
condition.
In the raising of pasture crops for
hogs, two important questions come
into the minds of men interested in
economical pork production. One of
the questions is what crops are adapt
able for this purpose and second,
should grain and how much, be fed
to hogs on pasture. In mimeograph-
ed bulletin printed by the Northwest
Station some attempt has been made
to answer these questions. -,,
The hog is natural grazer at all
times of its life to greater or less
extent. The hogs which have had
succulent food almost constantly avail
able are the ones that are almost in
variably the most thrifty and healthy
and have made their gain on a smaller
amount Of grain than the hog which
has been confined to dry-lOt feeding
through a considerable portion Of it's
life.
the various pasture crops for hogs,
alfalfa is class by itself. The farm
er who has plenty of alfalfa and plen-
ty of hog-tight fences need never fear
for the comforts of his hogs. There
are many who do not have alfalfa, and
these must depend on other pasture
crops. Even the farmer with alfalfa
can make use of other crops. In the
spring quick growing ANIMALS may be
sown to help out in supplying succu-
lent feeds for the SOW and pigs 4
number of crops may be profitably
grown for this purpose among them
being Dwarf Essex rape, Canadian
field peas; oats or barley. Rye seeded
in the fall furnishes an early spring
pasture for short period. Rape
seeded at the rate of five to eight
pounds per acre makes d very quickly
available pasture for the entire graz
ing season. This can be seeded early
in the spring. 1t terminates at a low
temperature and should be available
for pasture by June first or by the
fifteenth of June at the latest ys5 \
II the hog yards are so arranged
that they can be plowed each spring
and seeded to some forage crop for
the hogs, this will have sweetening
effect on the soil and help to keep
the yards in sanitary condition.
It is not possible to make a definite
recommendation as to the amount Of
grain to feed, for there are number.
of conditions which must be taken in
to consideration when making a. de-
cisiOn regarding this part Some Of
the more important factors concerning
this are as follows: age and weight
of the hogs: the object of feeding,
namely, whether for developing breed
ing animals or for the pork market:
whether it is the object to full feed
from birth getting them on the mar
ket as soon as possible, or whether
the plan of growing first, then fatten-
ing is followed. >,5
In the use of pasture crops it must
be definitely realized that the best
pasture is little more than mainten-
ance ration so that it is seldom profit
able to force hogs to live upon forage
! alone, unless the object is merely to
maintain mature sows, not pregnant
or sucking pigs For young pigs,
pregnant females or SOW sucking
4 PIGS, II 10 1lCSCSSdAy WACll pdSlulV
to feed grain ration.
Experimental data comparing results
of dry-lot feeding versus pasture crops
show that the amount Of grain neces-
sary to produce a pound of gain with
dry-lot feeding is from four to five
pounds. It takes from three to 3.5
pounds of grain to produce a pound
OF gain with hogs on pasture crops.
In general, it can be said that forage
crops will effect a saving Of approx
imately one-third Of the amount Of
grain. Pasture crops can be produced
more economically than grain and
when used in combination with grains
will produce gains more economically.
The kind Of grain mixture to use
may depend on the different grains
that are available. For growing pigs
q part Of the ration should be made
of a high protein feed, such as tank
MI.