TBT EW ways to raise better pigs were presented to Illinois 

 H farmers last month by successful hogmen and college 



■ experts during the annual Swine Growers' Day pro- 



■ gram at the College of Agriculture. 



1.M A new and simple way to keep sow production rec- 



ords followed by the Illinois Swine Herd Improvement Associa- 

 tion was explained by Wayne Brethorst, a farmer from Mahomet 

 in Champaign county. 



Brethorst said that pigs from each sow entered in the 

 Association are weighed at about 56 days of age (weaning 

 age). Litter records are kept by earmarking before the pigs 

 are more than five days old. 



At weaning time the rate of gain, size, and general health 

 of a pig are pretty well established and the best pig at this 

 age will probably make the best hog. At this time a farmer 

 also can tell how well his sows have performed as mothers. 



Association members are finding, Brethorst said, that one- 



FFA students from Banton and other high schools war* among 3000 

 formers attending Swine Growers' Day crt the University of IIIU 

 nols. On tour of the College of Agriculture swine farm, student* 

 (top picture) loolc at sow with frisky pigs out on clean, dry cinder 

 bed when adfacent ground was sea of mud; (center) measure sun 

 shade mounted on skids used with straw roof for hogs on pasture, 

 and (bottom) watch as William Marshall, assistant herdsman, ster- 

 ilizes hog trailer with live steam. 



BEHER WAYS 



TO , 



RAISE HOGS 



fourth of their sows are producing one-half of the pig crop 

 while three-fourths of the sows are raising the other half. 



The Illinois Swine Herd Improvement Association was or- 

 ganized last year largely among Champaign county farmers 

 under the leadership of Leslie Heiser, vocational agricultural 

 teacher at Fisher. It is a non-profit association and dues are 

 only $1.50 for each sow and litter. An oflFice is maintained 

 at Fisher. 



The importance of keeping a record on a sow's perform- 

 ance was also confirmed by W. A. Craft, director of the Regional 

 Swine Breeding Laboratory at Ames, Iowa. 



In his talk Craft told of some of the results from the Re- 

 gional laboratory where a gigantic swine breeding research pro- 

 gram is being conducted. 



More than 60 inbred lines have been started and 8,400 

 litters and 66,600 pigs farrowed at Ames and the other land 

 grant colleges in the cornbelt cooperating in the work with the 

 United States Department of Agriculture. 



Craft mentioned the Minnesota No. 1 and No. 2 hogs 

 which have resulted from this research. He said that they are 

 finding that hybrid vigor appears to be as real in pigs as in corn 

 although economic problems are more difficult to overcome than 

 has been the case with corn. 



If inbred lines and inbred crosses prove practical, breeding 

 stock can be sold through breeders who will raise selected in- 

 bred lines to produce boars for farmers. Craft believes. There 

 should be opportunity here for both small and large producers 

 in that, he said. 



Necro, a serious hog disease, is being brought under con- 

 trol by new sulfa drugs, Dr. C. C. Morrill of the College of 

 Veterinary Medicine, reported. He said they have used sulfa- 

 thalidine successfully on a number of infected pigs. 



Morrill cautioned that the use of the drug cannot be ex- 

 pected to remedy a poor diet or reduce contamination in feed 

 lots or hog houses, both causes of necro. 



The few pigs that are still hopelessly stunted after an 

 outbreak has been brought under control should be killed, he 

 said. 



During the morning tour of the swine farm the college 

 had on display several pieces of equipment helpful in hog pro- 

 duction. 



One is a portable steam spraying outfit used to disinfect 

 houses, feed troughs and other hog equipment. A second piece 

 of equipment handy on a hot summer day is a portable sun 

 shade with a wire and straw roof. 



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L A. A. RECORD 



