118 Pork Production 



the pigs, 27 days are left in a year of 365 days, which 

 will give sufficient leeway to permit the sow to come 

 in heat and be bred. If for some reason, as a weakened 

 condition resulting from improper feeding or a lack 

 of natural fertility, she fails to come in heat promptly 

 or does not conceive with the first service, the chances 

 are that she will farrow late. If she falls behind in 

 her breeding schedule, it will be necessary to allow her 

 to skip a period in order to prevent the pigs coming out 

 of season. 



A certain proportion of the sows in the herd can usually 

 be depended on for two litters each year. When fall 

 pigs are raised, the practice may be to produce a limited 

 number. Approximately 75 per cent of the pigs raised 

 in the corn-belt are spring farrowed. The plan of having 

 each sow produce three litters every two years is a good 

 one. Gilts which farrowed their first litters when from 

 twelve to fourteen months of age should not produce 

 their second until they are two years old. This is neces- 

 sary to insure their own development, on which depends 

 their future usefulness as breeders. 



Those who raise two litters a year claim that it is faulty 

 management to allow a mature sow to remain idle one- 

 half of the year ; that the yearly cost of feeding the sow 

 is so great that one cannot afford to board her for six 

 months without some return. This is an important 

 point and in line with the growing tendency to look 

 on the brood sow as a producer whose business it 

 should be to work twelve months of the year instead 

 of but six. 



Success in raising fall pigs will depend largely on the 

 equipment for properly handling them and the disposition 

 to give them the best of care. Warm quarters are a 



