CHAPTER VII 



FEEDING AND CARE OF GROWING AND 

 FATTENING PIGS 



WITH the pigs weaned, the problem of the feeder is to 

 mature the crop as economically as possible under his 

 conditions without sacrificing the weight and finish 

 required of those which go to market or the growthiness 

 and thrift desirable in those intended for the breeding 

 herd. 



THE WEIGHT AND TYPE OF PIG DESIRED BY THE MARKET 



In the corn-belt, no single type or weight of pig sells 

 at the top of the market in all seasons of the year. As 

 a general rule, the market pays a premium for the weights 

 which are most scarce. As a consequence, in the late 

 summer and early fall when weights are the heaviest, 

 light hogs command a premium; while in the middle of 

 the winter and early spring when light weights pre- 

 dominate, the heavier hogs sell at a slight advance. (See 

 Chapter XVI, page 387.) In recent years the tend- 

 ency has been for both producer and consumer to favor 

 the lighter weights. The farmer with higher priced 

 land, feed, and labor has found the method of more 

 intensive feeding and earlier marketing profitable. Like- 

 wise, changing demands during this time have been 

 toward the lighter handier- weight cuts. This has been 

 due to the changing tastes and requirements of the con- 



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