44 Pork Production 



ents than corn, they are not satisfactory when fed alone 

 to pregnant sows. Oats is, no doubt, the safest single 

 grain that could be selected. The grain sorghums, 

 kafir and milo, are very similar to corn in composition, 

 but are not so palatable. Rye is not considered a good 

 feed for pregnant sows unless ground and fed in limited 

 quantities with other more bulky concentrates. Kafir, 

 milo, and wheat should be ground, and usually more 

 satisfactory results will be obtained if they are fed mixed 

 with other and lighter feeds. Oats, barley, and ernmer 

 also give better results when ground. 



Value of legume hays for pregnant sows. 



The legume hays, clover, alfalfa, cowpea, soybean, 

 field pea, vetch, lespedeza, when of fine quality, offer 

 one of the most valuable means of supplementing corn 

 or other home-grown grains. Not only is hay of this 

 class commonly available on every farm, but it supplies 

 three important elements in the brood sow ration; viz., 

 bulk, protein, and lime or mineral matter. Furthermore, 

 these hays generally possess the desirable quality of 

 being laxative in their effects. 



At the North Platte, Nebraska, sub-station, considerable 

 data of value have been accumulated showing the value 

 of alfalfa as a supplement to corn or other grains when 

 fed in various ways to pregnant sows and gilts. In the 

 following table is presented a brief statement of the 

 results of feeding gilts one part of chopped alfalfa 

 hay mixed with two to three parts of grain. As much 

 of this mixture was fed as the gilts would clean up. 

 When the gilts showed evidence of becoming too fat, 

 the proportion of grain was reduced and the alfalfa 

 increased. 



