CHAPTER XVI. 



HOGS IN THE FEED LOT 



The hog is reckoned by cattle feeders as a most im- 

 portant factor in cattle feeding operations and his defi- 

 nite relation to this industry is a matter of much impor- 

 tance. The facts and suggestions used in this discus- 

 sion are based upon accurate data gathered by experi- 

 ment and inquiry by the Illinois Experiment Station. 

 The subject may be well divided as follows: 



1. Kind of hog best suited for following cattle in 

 feed lot and pasture. 



2. Method of determining the best number to use. 



3. What may be done to increase the efficiency 

 of the pig? 



4. Results which may reasonably be expected. 

 First, as to the kind of hog best suited for following 



cattle in the feed lot and pasture. It is seldom good 

 practice to use pigs under six months of age because of 

 the danger of injury in running about among the cattle, 

 and further, the feed which they get from the droppings 

 is not calculated to produce growth on the pigs. Brood 

 sows are sometimes used to follow cattle. This practice 

 may be followed with good results when fattening cattle 

 are on grass, especially if the pasture furnishes clover or 

 alfalfa pasturage for hogs as well as for cattle. But allow- 

 ing brood sows to follow fattening cattle which are rather 

 closely yarded in winter, and especially where no sepa- 

 rate shelter is provided for the sows, is a practice to be 

 discouraged. The kind of hogs that have proved to 

 be best for following cattle are young thrifty shoats 

 weighing about one hundred pounds each. These 

 should be in thinnish flesh and of an active, strong 

 boned type or breed. 



in 



