FEEDS FOR SWINE 627 



60 pounds and fed to the market weight of 200 pounds. The results show 

 clearly that yellow corn produces decidedly larger and more economical 

 gains than white corn when fed to young pigs not on pasture, with such 

 supplements as skim milk, whey or linseed meal, none of which are rich 

 in the fat-soluble vitamine. For pigs on excellent pasture there was no 

 difference in the value, due to the fact that green plants are rich in 

 the fat-soluble vitamine. However, in the fall, when the pasture season 

 was over, the pigs on white corn soon began to fall behind those receiving 

 the yellow corn. Even when fed with tankage or meat meal, which may 

 perhaps contain some fat-soluble vitamine, yellow corn has usually been 

 considerably better than the white corn for young pigs. 



When young pigs have been fed white corn with skim milk as the only 

 supplement, disastrous results have often followed. This is due to the 

 fact that skim milk from centrifugal separators is always low in the 

 fat-soluble vitamine. Therefore, white corn and skim milk fed in dry 

 lot without green feeds make a ration very deficient in this vitamine. 

 Many pigs have died from rickets or from pneumonia after several weeks 

 on this inadequate ration, and those which did not succumb made poor 

 gains. On the other hand, pigs fed yellow corn and skim milk were 

 vigorous and thrifty. 



Adding a small amount of good, leafy alfalfa hay to a ration lacking 

 in the fat-soluble vitamine apparently corrects the deficiency. For 

 example, pigs fed skim milk and a mixture of 95 Ibs. white corn and 5 

 Ibs. chopped alfalfa remained thrifty and made just as rapid and eco- 

 nomical gains as others fed yellow corn. In all probability hay from 

 other legumes would serve the same purpose. Only 5 per ct. of hay was 

 fed, as more hay would have made the ration too bulky and high in 

 fiber for young pigs. 



These trials and also experiments by Mitchell and Emmett at the 

 Illinois Station, 3 and a trial by Loeffel at the Nebraska Station, 4 show 

 the inferiority of white corn for young pigs when not supplemented by 

 some feed rich in the fat-soluble vitamine. For pigs over 100 to 125 

 Ibs. in weight there is probably much less difference in the value of yellow 

 and white corn, especialty if they have had good pasture previously. 

 When animals are supplied feeds rich in the fat-soluble vitamine, as 

 is the case with pasture crops, they store considerable amounts in their 

 livers and certain other organs. This stored supply will aid in carrying 

 them thru the fattening period, even tho their ration then furnishes little 

 of the vitamine. Even with young pigs fed in dry lot, a ration of white 

 corn and such supplements as skim milk or tankage will usually give 

 good results for a few weeks, if the pigs have been on pasture pre- 

 viously. It is possible that brood sows may suffer from a lack of the 

 fat-soluble vitamine during winter in the northern states if they are fed 

 white corn and other feeds lacking this essential. However, giving 

 them plenty of legume hay will remedy any such deficiency. 



"Information to the authors. information to the authors. 



