Feeding and Care of Pigs 133 



CORN AS A PIG FEED 



The American farmer has no cereal equal to corn for 

 fattening live-stock. Its unusual palatability, its con- 

 centration and richness in fat-producing qualities, its 

 mildly laxative effects, its keeping qualities and physical 

 texture, make it a feed unequaled for fat production. The 

 fact that 65 per cent of the pork produced in the United 

 States is grown in the corn-belt is largely due to the feeding 

 qualities of this grain. The greatness of com as a crop 

 in this region is in part due to its extensive use in pork 

 production. Probably no animal on the farm is capable 

 of using so large a proportion of corn in his diet as the lard 

 hog. 



The faults of com as a pig feed are that it lacks in 

 protein and mineral matter (ash), which are indispensable 

 for the growth and development of muscle and bone tis- 

 sues. Corn is so over-abundantly rich in carbohydrates 

 and deficient in protein and mineral matter that its grow- 

 ing properties have been sacrificed to fattening properties. 

 Furthermore, the proteins which it does contain are 

 inferior, for they do not supply the kinds and variety 

 necessary to meet all the body needs. The mineral 

 supply of com is likewise deficient in the kind of elements 

 supplied. Lime, or calcium, which, with phosphorus, 

 makes up more than 80 ^ per cent of the ash of bone, is 

 present in extremely meager amounts. 



Experiments demonstrating the deficiencies of com alone 

 as a feed for growing and fattening pigs. 



That growing and fattening pigs do not do well when 

 restricted to a diet of straight corn is admirably demon- 



' Jorda,n : " The Feeding of Animals," page 46. 



