FEEDS FOR SWINE 667 



to 2,326 Ibs. per acre in 8 trials in which the weights of hay were reported. 

 With corn at 56 cts. a bushel and tankage at $60 a ton, the saving of 

 feed per acre of pasture was $25.53. Crediting the hay removed at $7.50 

 a ton, a fair price for standing alfalfa or clover, makes the total value 

 of an acre of pasture about $34.25. In this computation no credit is 

 given for the more rapid gains of the pigs on pasture, which would 

 often enable one to sell them early in the fall, before prices slumped. 

 Also no credit is included for the fertility added to the soil thru the 

 growth of the legume and the manure produced from the corn and 

 tankage fed, practically all of which is saved when pigs are fed on 

 pasture. 



The last part of the table shows a similar saving when rape pasture was 

 compared with dry lot feeding. On the average the pigs on rape required 

 39 Ibs. less corn and 20 Ibs. less tankage for each 100 Ibs. gain than those 

 fed in dry lot. An acre of rape saved 1,607 Ibs. corn and 799 Ibs. 

 tankage, compared with dry lot feeding. Furthermore, at the end of the 

 trials the pigs on pasture weighed over 200 Ibs. on the average, and were 

 ready for market, while those which had no pasture weighed only 183 

 Ibs. Had all the pigs been carried to the same market weights, as was 

 done in the Wisconsin trials, there would have been even a greater 

 difference in the amounts of feed required for 100 Ibs. gain by the pigs 

 on pasture and those in dry lot. 



983. Methods of feeding pigs on pasture. After providing plenty of 

 good pasture for all his swine, the next question which arises in the 

 mind of a farmer is whether he shall full-feed grain or other concentrates 

 to pigs on pasture, or whether it will be more profitable to limit the 

 amount of concentrates. This matter is fully discussed in the previous 

 chapter, where it is pointed out that the answer will depend primarily on 

 the relative price of grain and pasture and on whether or not it is the 

 desire to finish the pigs for an early fall market. In all cases it is usually 

 necessary to feed pigs on pasture at least 2 Ibs. of concentrates daily per 

 100 Ibs. live weight, to keep them growing thriftily. (924) Many young 

 pigs are stunted because their owners fail to appreciate the structure of 

 their digestive tracts and expect them to live on pasture alone, or on 

 pasture with too scanty a supply of grain. 



Self -feeding growing and fattening pigs on pasture is an economical 

 and labor saving method of pork production, where they are to be 

 finished for an early market. The merits of self-feeding versus hand- 

 feeding are discussed in the preceding chapter. (925-7) 



Pigs on pasture should be provided with shade, and an abundant 

 supply of fresh water. Automatic waterers will be; found to be con- 

 venient and labor saving devices which give excellent satisfaction when 

 properly adjusted. Salt should also be supplied at all times. Pigs which 

 are fed well-balanced rations on pasture are much less apt to root than 

 dissatisfied pigs fed inefficient rations, such as corn alone. It is often 

 not necessary to ring spring pigs which are to be sold in the fall at the 



