22 BULLETIN 752, U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 
ALFALFA PASTURE FOR SOWS AND PIGS. 
At the Scottsbluff Experiment Farm in 1914 and 1915, tests were 
made of alfalfa pasture for sows and their litters. Each lot contained 
two sows and their litters of spring pigs. Each lot had access to a 
quarter of an acre of alfalfa divided into two parts, which were pas- 
tured alternately for 60 days. The pasture period began on May 4 
in 1914 and on April 27 in 1915. One of the lots used in 1914 is illus- 
trated in figure 4. In addition to the pasture the sows and pigs were 
fed a 2 per cent ration of grain, the pigs being fed grain by them- 
selves. The results are summarized in Table XV. 
Pp4944wi 
Fic. 4.—Two sows and their litters of spring pigs on alfalfa pasture at the Scottsbluff 
Experiment Farm late in May, 1914. If good alfalfa pasture is supplemented with 
as much as a 2 per cent ration of corn or barley, an acre will support 6 to 8 sows 
and 50 to 70 suckling pigs for 60 days. During this time the pigs should gain 25 
to 30 pounds each and at the close of the period be ready to go on to alfalfa DaREBBE 
by themselves. 
TABLE XV.—Results secured with sows and pigs on irrigated alfalfa pasture 
supplemented with a2 per cent ration of grain at the Scottsbluff Haperiment 
Farm in 1914 and 1915. 
Gain (pounds). 
is Average 
Number initial 
: Aver- 
of— eight | : 
(out ds). Piss: Sows and age Grain 
Grain. ; g pigs. earry- | fed per 
Sows and pigs. fed ing 100 
3 = Avorn}. < enn) Gap |) joouragls 
Sows. Per Per | ity per | of gain. 
u ya «| Pio. To- | pig |. Per | acre | acre. 
Sows. | Pigs. 'Sows.) Pigs. tal. | per |acre.| per 
day. day. 
Pounds.| Pounds. 
ot aloa he eee Corn 2 14} 351 12 | —99 | 472 | 0.56 /1, 492 25 1, 052 315 
IG POR AaooeSeaeee do 2 15 | 436 15 | —93 | 491 . 54 |1, 592 26 1,155 276 
WOES Sccobcsosoue EOS See 2 15 | 234 8 | —388 | 423} .47 |1,540 26 779 228 
A DOL Cera sree “Barley ae 2 17} 351 3 | —28} 446] .44 |1, 672 28 969 235 
