Arizona Agricultural Experiment Station A66 



tlie University. At the time the exchange was made, careful 

 measurements were taken of the pigs. It will make an interesting 

 study to continue this test and note the effect of the different en- 

 vin)iiment on the size, weight, and conformation of the animals, 

 as well as their fecundity and their qualities for raising pigs. 

 Shortly after the exchange, sow No. 3 farrowed a litter of thirteen 

 pigs, saving seven of them the first week, but apparently the sow 

 did not milk well and all the pigs died. This same sow was 

 bred shortly afterward but she aborted about May 25. She was 

 bred again shortly after this. Sow No. 1 has failed to get with 

 pigs. Sow No. 2 aborted fourteen pigs. These were the 1a»ge 

 fat sows, and .the results with them were not satisfactory from the 

 standpoint of carrying their pigs through the gestation period, or 

 raising a goodly portion of the litter. 



In spite of the fact that sows Nos. 4 and 5 are small, thin, and 

 very inferior in appearance, they raise a larger number and per- 

 centage of pigs than the large fat sows. Sow No. 4 farrowed a 

 litter containing eleven pigs, and she raised four boars and three 

 sows. On the ninth of June sow No. 5 farrowed nine pigs, raising; 

 five sows and three boars. Apparently sow No. 4 was the only 

 one bred up till June 9. Further observations will be made during 

 the coming years. 



alfalfa versus mixed rations for raising beef heifers 



Alfalfa hay has been used extensively for feeding cattle in the 

 Southwest. Dairy cows as well as beef bred animals have been 

 raised on this feed with little or no other supplements and mam- 

 tained on alfalfa hay throughout their entire life. 



Reports have reached us that alfalfa hay is not a satisfactory 

 ration for breeding stock. Some report that the animals fail to 

 reach normal size, and that there is a tendency to sterility, or bar- 

 renness, and that in some way the ration has been unsatisfactory. 



The department planned a feeding test and studied the effects 

 of maintaining an animal on alfalfa hay. A registered Hereford 

 heifer, Great Coronis No. 756193, calved September 29, 1918, was 

 raised by allowing to nurse, and weaned at an early age, and 

 placed in a dry lot, being fed on alfalfa hay alone. This heifer has 

 been given nothing but alfalfa hay, which at times was poor in 

 quality, containing weeds and other feeds. She was bred to Beau 

 Carlos April 27, 1920. 



Another heifer, Coronis Great 873919, was calved December 

 12, 1919. This heifer is a full sister^ of Great Coronis and was 



