FORAGE CROPS FOR HOGS IN KANSAS AND OKLAHOMA. 35 



and with hoofs at 5^ cents a pound, note the cost of producing pork 

 on this farm : 



Value of 240-i)ound hog, at 5i cents .$13.20 



Value of pig at weaning, 50 pounds, at 5* cents 2.7.5 



Gain from pasture and grain 10.45 



Cost of 15 bushels of corn, at 35 cents .".25 



Value of pasture per head pastured 5. 20 



The pasture specified here will not support more than half as many 

 head per acre on this farm by feeding corn all the time. The value 

 of this pasture is only $5.20 per head, against $7.07 per head for al- 

 falfa pasture on the other farm. 



The experiences of these men are sufficient to show the value of 

 alfalfa pasture alone, and its greater value when grain is fed in 

 connection, and that it is an important factor in economic pork pro- 

 duction. A little later in this bulletin will be given the feeding sys- 

 tems of some farmers which will still further show the excellence of 

 this forage crop and others and the cost of producing pork under 

 such systems. 



ALFALFA HAY. 



"While alfalfa pasture has been found to be very valuable for hogs, 

 the hay as a part ration for winter is scarcely less important. 

 Throughout the region referred to the farmers are feeding the hay 

 to hogs in winter. ISIany feed the hay by throwing it on the ground 

 in forkfuls; others have made low racks in which the ha}^ is placed, 

 where the hogs can feed like cattle or sheep. The hay has been found 

 to be especially valuable for brood sows before farrowing. Where 

 it is fed during the winter only a small grain ration is necessary to 

 keep the sows in good flesh and in healthy condition. Sows thus fed 

 also farrow good litters of strong, healthy pigs. 



The hay is usually fed dry. The leaves are more readily eaten by 

 the hogs than the stems, as they contain more of the nutritive value 

 of the plant. For this reason some farmers save the last cutting of 

 hay for the hogs because it is more relished. It is eaten up cleaner, 

 as the stems are not so woody, and more food value is found in the 

 leaves. . Sometimes the hay is cut up fine, wet, and mixed with other 

 feed, and sometimes it is fed ground, as there are now alfalfa mills 

 scattered throughout the alfalfa regions. But it is very doubtful 

 whether this extra expense will pay, unless it be for a ration for 

 young pigs. 



