484 MANUAL OF FARM ANIMALS 



Skim-milk is held in high esteem by the bacon feeder ; 

 therefore localities devoted to dairying other than market 

 milk are admirably adapted for the production of bacon. It 

 may be fed in the same proportion as to the fat-hog, — that is, 

 three to five parts milk to one of meal. 



Summer feeding on pasture. — Clover, alfalfa, cowpeas, or 

 rape are excellent pastures for bacon production. Less protein- 

 rich grain or less skim-milk is required when the swine have 

 access to such ranges. No cheaper or more economical gains 

 can be obtained than from a light grain ration when the animals 

 have these pastures. 



Winter feeding in dry-lot. — Bacon production during the 

 winter season is approximately 25 per cent more costly than 

 feeding on pasture. For best results, some succulent food 

 should be supplied. This may be furnished by growing roots, 

 such as sugar-beets, mangels, turnips, and the like, and storing 

 them for winter use. When the animals are confined to a dry- 

 lot, more protein-rich food is required, which calls for larger 

 amounts of oil meal, shorts, tankage, or skim-milk, most of which 

 must be purchased. This balancing is very essential in the 

 production of bacon, as quality is what commands the extra 

 price. The lean and fat must be well interspersed, and this can 

 be secured only by properly balancing the ration. 



SAMPLE RATIONS FOR SWINE 



To give sample rations for horses, cattle, and sheep is a com- 

 paratively simple matter, but such is not the case with swine. 

 The composition and amount of the ration are influenced by 

 the age and weight of the animal. For 100 pounds live weight, 

 the younger the animal the more food required, and in addition 

 it should contain more protein than for the older animal. To 

 illustrate the ration for fattening swine of increasing size the 

 following data is made up from Bulletin 106 of the Iowa Ex- 

 periment Station : — 



