620 



IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



eight to nine months, the pigs weighing better than 30' pounds, the ration 

 is 98 to better than 99 per cent corn. 



These three groups of pigs which have been fed according to the Iowa 

 System of self feeding swine, show quite clearly the possibility of this 

 method of feeding in the dry lot. Of course the recorded figures of these 

 groups are given to you to awaken and arouse you to the fact that the 

 appetites of pigs should be catered to if the greatest gains are to be 

 secured. Of course the economy of gains is an important consideration, 

 but nevertheless when we understand clearly that the appetite is a guide 

 as regards the physiologic needs of pigs, then we will have a basis upon 

 which to build more economic gains. 



A comparison of these three dry lot groups with pigs self fed corn 

 and salt upon most excellent alfalfa pasture is typically suggestive of 

 the great possibilities which lie in the judicious and economic use of 

 forages for swine. These forage fed pigs were given all of the corn they 

 could possibly eat, night and day, together with salt at free will on 

 luxuriantly green alfalfa pasture until November 24th; when, after a 

 period of 140 days of feeding, they were placed in a dry lot (the forage 

 being gone) and fed corn in one self feeder, meat meal in another, with 

 salt continued as before. 



The entire record of the "free will" dry fed pigs and the "cafeteria" 

 pasture fed pigs during the 162 days of feeding is presented: 



THE "IOWA SYSTEM OF SELF FEEDING" IN DRY LOT, COMPARED 



TO PASTURE. 



Growing and fattening pigs of 45 pounds, from weaning to market; 

 July 7 to December 16, 1914 — 162 days of "cafeteria fed" feeding. 



*Last twenty-two days of 162-day period, finished in dry lot; pasture gone. tPraetion 

 of an acre. {Plus pasture, .0101 acre. 



Prices of Feeds. — Corn, 40, 50 and 60 cents; whole oats, 30, 38 and 45 cents; meat, 

 meal, $2.50; oil meal, old process, .$1.50; wheat middlings, $1.45; charcoal, $3.00; 

 Urtiestone, 60 cents; salt, $1.00 per cwt.; and alfalfa pasture, $10.75 an acre. 



