REPORT OF MR. S. A. BEDFORD. 367 



SESSIONAL PAPER No. 16 



BROME GRASS PASTURE FOR PIGS. 



Last year an effort was made to find out the value of Brome grass pasture for 

 fattening pigs, but owing to unforeseen circumstances it was found impossible to 

 finish the test. This year the test was more successful, and the results given below show 

 that this kind of pasture is excellent for the purpose. 



The animals selected were Chester White and Tamworth crosses, and were all 

 from one litter. The feeding commenced when the pigs were two months old, and 

 "directly after weaning. 



The pasture field was seeded to brome grass in August, 1898. Tbe area was one 

 acre, and it not only gave abundance of pasture for the four pigs, but about two tons 

 of hay was saved in addition. The pigs were evidently very fond of the grass, and 

 were found feeding on it at all times of the day. 



For the first three months both lots were fed on a mixture of soaked ground grain, 

 composed of half oats, quarter barley and quarter wheat screenings, and during the 

 last three months on ground pease alone. 



The penned animals were fed all the grain they would eat up clean, but the 

 pastured pigs only received sufficient to keep them steadily gaining in flesh without 

 making them independent of the pasture. 



Cost of Grain Fed to Pigs in Pasture. 



156 pounds of barley at i cent per pound $ 78 



156 pounds of wheat screenings at i cent per pound Y8 



312 pounds of oats at | cents per pound 2 34 



325 pounds of pease at 1 cent per pound 3 25 



$ 7 15 



Cost of Grain Fed to Pigs without Pasture. 



231 pounds of barley at i cent per pound $ 1 15 



231 pounds of wheat screenings at J cent per pound. ... 1 15 



462 pounds of oats at | cent per pound 3 46 



425 pounds of pease at 1 cent per pound 4 25 



$ 10 01 



SUMMARY. 



Pastured Pigs — Dr. Cr. 



First cost of pigs, 117 pounds at 4^ cents $ 5 26 



Cost of feed 7 15 



Sold 510 poimds at 4J cents $ 22 95 



Profit on four pigs 10 54 



$ 22 95 $ 22 95 



Without Pasture — Dr. Cr. 



First cost of pigs, 115 pounds at 4^ cents $ 5 17 



Cost of feed 10 01 



Sold 481 pounds at 4^ cents $ 21 64 



Profit on pigs ,. G 46 



$ 21 64 $ 21 64 



