PASTURE AND GRAIN CROPS FOR HOGS. 



11 



CROPS FOR WESTERN OREGON AND WESTERN WASHINGTON. 



The moist, mild climate of this district makes it possible to provide 

 an abundance of cheaply grown forage for hogs throughout the entire 

 year. The number of crops which may be used for this purpose is 

 very great. The growing of most of them is discussed in detail in 

 Farmers' Bulletin 271 of this department, " Forage Crop Practises 

 in Western Oregon and Western Washington," to which the reader 

 is referred. Only such points of information as can not be easily 

 found elsewhere are presented here. 



USE OP VARIOUS PASTURE CROPS. 



Table I shows suitable pasture crops in western Oregon and western 

 Washington, w T ith the dates of planting and use. 



Table I. — Pasture crops for western Oregon and western Washington. 



Crops. 



When planted. Approximate dates when used. 



Number 



of hogs 



an acre 



will 



pasture. 1 









8 to 16 



Alfalfa . 



do 



do 



8 to 16 





April 1, 15, and 30 





8 to 14 





April 25 to May 15 



June 25 to November 1 



July 1 to November 1 



6 to 15 







6 to 15 



Rape 



July (in corn at last cultiva- 

 tion). 

 do 



October 1 to April 1 



5 to 8 





do 



5 to 8 



oats, or vetch alone. 

 Vetch and wheat or vetch and 



oats. 

 English rye-grass 



September (on spring stubble) . 



Early spring or early fall 



September 1 to October 15 



September 



November 1 to April 1 



November 1 to July 1 



5 to 8 

 5 to 14 



Winter wheat 



February, March, and April... 



6 to 12 



Vetch 



8 to 16 











1 The number of hogs that can be pastured per acre depends upon (1) the productiveness of the soil, (2) 

 the variation of the season, (3) the management of the pasture, (4) the size of the hogs, and (5) the kind and 

 quantity of other feed the hogs receive in addition to the pasture. 



From a study of Table I it will be seen that pasture may be provided 

 for swine in western Oregon and western Washington throughout the 

 entire year. It is not intended that all of these crops shall be used 

 on any one farm. The purpose of the table is to assist the farmer in 

 the selection of pasture crops which may meet the needs and condi- 

 tions of his farm. 



If intended for late fall, winter, and early spring use, a pasture 

 should not be grazed during the autumn, in order that a large amount 

 of forage may accumulate. This is necessary with almost all winter 

 forage crops, for growth practically ceases when winter begins. The 

 forage that is allowed to accumulate during the autumn is grazed 

 during the winter. 



It must be understood also that there are times during the winter 

 when most soils west of the Cascade Mountains become so w T et that 

 the tramping of the hogs does a great deal of injury by puddling the 

 soil. For this reason it is generally considered best to remove the 

 hogs from the pasture w^hen a heavy rain fails. This is not always 



