EIGHTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK— PART X. 5G1 



By the end of summer the pigs weigh about 100 to 125 pounds each, 

 most of this gain being due to clover. 



On the approach of winter the sows are removed to the bluegrass 

 pasture previously mentioned, where they are confined on 2 acres of land, 

 with suitable shelters provided. The pigs are then penned on about 4 

 acres of the clover sod next the central well. The shelters which stood ■ 

 in the field during summer are moved to this pen. 



The brood sows are fed in winter about 4 pounds a day of mixed 

 grains. Last winter this consisted of ground rye, shorts, oil meal and 

 corn. In the absence of rye, bran is used. They are also fed clover hay, 

 a small crop of which is cut from the clover pastures. This amount of 

 feed keeps them in thrifty condition, but does not fatten them. 



The pigs in winter are fed soy-bean hay and an average of about 5 

 pounds of grain per head per day. During a portion of the time this 

 grain consists of a mixture of about 3l^ pounds of corn, % pound of 

 shorts and % pound of oil meal per head per day. The amount fed is 

 less in early winter and gradually increases as the pigs increase in size. 

 By spring these pigs weigh 200 to 225 pounds each. 



When clover pasture becomes available in spring these yearling hogs are 

 turned into the 12-acre inclosure, while the sows and their new litters are 

 given the remaining 8 acres. While the clover is at its best each of the 

 120 large hogs receives about 2i/^ pounds of grain daily. This amount is 

 gradually increased until by August 1, when the large hogs are marketed, 

 each is receiving about 4 pounds a day. The daily average for this period 

 is about 3% pounds. When sent to market these hogs weigh 325 to 350 

 pounds each. They are a fine, uniform lot, and always bring top prices 

 in their class. 



One of the most interesting features of this system is the fact that 

 the hogs are kept until they are 16 months old and reach the large size 

 just mentioned. The reasons for this are as follows: 



The clover furnishes most feed the first half of summer, and the 

 double number of hogs on hand at this time makes it possible to utilize 

 this growth to best advantage. Again, pigs handled as these are, if 

 sold at 200 pounds, will have made a large proportion of their growth 

 during winter on expensive grain feed, while by keeping them till mid- 

 summer a larger proportion of the gain is made from clover, which is 

 cheaper than grain. These points have received careful consideration by 

 Mr. Rowe, and he believes he makes more profit by producing these large 

 hogs under his system than he could make from the same area of land 

 by selling the hogs earlier. He is undoubtedly correct in this. However, 

 this would not be true for sections where good winter pasture can be 

 made available. In this case it would doubtless pay better to secure two 

 litters of pigs a year and sell them at not much over 200 pounds weight. 



When the large hogs go to market the sows and pigs are given the 

 run of the whole 20 acres. A little later, when the oats have been re- 

 moved from the field, the pigs are also allowed access to the new seeding 

 of clover if this is rendered desirable by the condition of the older clover 

 field. 



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