1909.] Suggestions for Pig-Feeders. 



721 



shows the average prices for the past three years, from April 

 to June, for comparison with the prices of pigs. 



From the above table it will be seen that during the period 

 referred to the price of wheat offals had risen with the price 

 of wheat ; maize had also risen considerably in value ; while 

 barley meal remained steady. At the time of going to press, 

 however, the price of wheat offals is lower than the prices pre- 

 vailing in 1908 and 1907, while there is a slight fall in maize. 

 The enhanced price of feeding-stuffs may afford one reason 

 for a falling off in the supply of pigs, breeding and fattening 

 being thereby discouraged. 



From the foregoing statement of facts the general conclu- 

 sion may be drawn that the prospects of profit from pig- 

 feeding in the near future are very good. Much, however, 

 depends on the manner in which feeding is conducted, and 

 on the care with which the pigs are bred, housed and 

 managed.* 



Assuming that the dam is of good breed and otherwise 

 suitable for the production of young pigs which will fatten 

 rapidly and make high-class bacon, hams, and fresh pork, 

 it may be said that the first necessity of sound feeding is to 

 stimulate and sustain an abundant supply of milk from the 

 time of farrowing until the young pigs are weaned. In 

 proportion to their size, sows make as heavy a demand upon 

 the ration, from the point of view of milk production, as 

 milking cows, so that a sow which is suckling a litter of 

 young must, to do justice both to herself and her offspring, 

 receive a liberal allowance of good food. A ration composed 

 of butter-milk or skim milk and middlings, with barley meal 

 or maize meal, will be quite suitable for milch sows. A heavy 

 milker among cows is liable to lose condition, and in the same 

 way a sow with a large litter of young is likely to become 

 thin, owing to the great demands of the growing family, 

 however liberally she may be fed. 



As regards the feeding of the young pigs the most 

 important point is to keep them thriving steadily from birth ; 

 in their early days the feeding should ensure a strong frame 



* The Board have already issued a leaflet (No. 100) giving general suggestions for 

 pig-breeding and feeding, and this leaflet may be obtained free of charge by those 

 interested, on application to the Secretary, Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, 

 4, Whitehall Place, S.W. 



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