638 AgriciillHrnl GazHlo of S.S.W. [Amj. 3, 1908. 



Hawkesbiiry Agricultural College and 

 Experiment Fanii. 



FeedIxMg of Pigs. 



("Continued fioni paye l(l!)0, Xdvemljfi-, 190G.] 



H. W. POTTS. 



IX. 



Lucerne. 



" LrcKRNE is de.stinerl to become a fmtur of tlie greatest iniportanre in pig-feeding 

 operations wherever that wonderful plant will grow." — Professor Hknky. 



Owing to its high protein contents lucerne is known to t)e one of tlie most 

 suitable foods for giving vitality and strength to tendons, muscles, and nerves. 

 It assists in developing the bony structuie of all domestic animals, and in 

 addition it produces lean meat. 



It is a cheap and relishable fodder for pigs in all stages of their growth, 

 more especially for sows during the period between service and farrowing ; 

 and for boars and young pigs when building up frame prior to fattening. 



It has long been recognised that whilst wheaten bran provides an excellent 

 food for cows in milk, its effect on pigs is distinctly different, and its use as 

 a food for them is contra-indicated. 



The object of feeding bran is to provide protein in the dairy ration in a 

 conveniently concentrated form. The best substitute is lucerne, as may be 

 seen by the following analysis, in which the leadiivi food constituents closely 

 agree : — 



It is also known that lucerne, either as pasture or hay, is palatable and 

 readily assimilated or converted into blood, otherwise digestible. 



In studying the composition of the plant it is found that tlic leaves are 

 40 per cent, richer in pi'otein. .']0 per cent, in fat, and 15 per cent, in mineral 

 matter than other portions. When feeding, the aim is to design a fairly 

 narrow ration, ranging from 1: 1-5 to 1:6. The former is more suitable 

 for young growing pigs, and it may be gradually widened to 1 : G for pigs 

 from 5 to (> months old. 



