364 IOWA DEPARTMENT OP AGRICULTURE 



Pork production is and always will be one of the chief industries of 

 this state. Corn growing and pork production are always closely associat- 

 ed, yet while Iowa has strong competition for the title of "Golden Buckle" 

 of the corn belt, no one will question her right to the title of "Golden 

 Buckle" of the hog belt. Iowa stands in a class by herself in number 

 and value of swine. On January 1st, 1909, there were 7,908,000, or prac- 

 tically as many as the two states Illinois and Nebraska, ranking second 

 and thi'rd, combined. 



The hog is king in Iowa, because he is well adapted to our conditions 

 and because we appreciate a good thing. The factors which have made 

 him so deservedly popular are as follows: early maturity, fecundity, 

 economy of production and utilization of by-products. 



The profitable production of pork may readily be divided into three 

 phases or stages, which are — the selection of breeding stock, care and 

 management, and proper feeding. 



It is impossible to cover all three phases in the time allotted this 

 paper, so I will hastily pass over the first two and spend most of my 

 time on the third phase. 



We all realize that there may be as much difference between individ- 

 uals of a given breed as there is between representatives of different 

 breeds. So while our favorite breeds have their leading characteristics 

 we know that they have their unprofitable as well as profitable represen- 

 tatives. Hence in the selection of the foundation stock for our herds we 

 must see to it that we select the most profitable type from our favorite 

 breed. 



The successful hog raiser is the man who pays strict attention to 

 the health and comfort of his "money makers" especially while they are 

 young. It is very essential that they be kept in roomy, sanitary quarters 

 and be kept free from both internal and external parasites. 



While it is absolutely essential to the most profitable returns that the 

 foundation stock be carefully selected and the pigs be kept in perfect 

 health, yet the method of feeding is a potent factor in determining the 

 profit. The problem of how much expense, time and labor can be profit- 

 ably expended in preparing feed for swine, is one of importance, and one 

 which is rapidly being settled. 



Experiment station workers are practically unanimous in concluding 

 that cooking not only does not increase the profit, but that it is often 

 a detriment, as the heat renders some of the nutrients less digestible. 

 It was formerly thought by many that it was a paying proposition to 

 grind corn for all classes of swine. This idea has been exploded and 

 the Iowa Experiment Station in a series of experiments' with a large 

 number of animals found that for spring pigs during their first summer 

 and fall there was a saving of over six per cent, of the corn by feeding 

 in the ear instead of shelling and soaking it and a saving of 18 to 24 

 per cent, by feeding in the ear instead of shelling and grinding it. With 

 the older animals there was a small saving of corn by shelling and soak- 

 ing it twelve hours. In all cases where there was a saving by grinding 

 there was a greater saving effected by simply soaking the shelled corn 



