COST OF PRODUCING HOGS IN IOWA AND ILLINOIS 11 
the reverse may be true. This study presents many degrees of 
success among hog raisers and shows some of the possibilities for more 
efficient production. 
COST OF MAINTAINING THE BREEDING HERD 
Management of the breeding herd involves the control and develop- 
ment of the maternal function of swine. There are general laws of 
physiology: nutrition, and sanitation which must be obeyed to 
comply fully with the demands of nature in this respect. Large, 
strong, healthy litters can be raised only when these requirements 
are supplied in one way or another. Maximum herd performance 
can be maintained only when the breeding stock is sound and vigorous 
(fig. 6), is fed to nourish embryonic litters properly, and guarded 
against barrenness and abortion by proper sanitation. There is a 
distinct advantage for the two-litter system of production, because 
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Fic. 6.—When snow covered the hog pastures on this farm rough feed was supplied the breeding 
gilts by throwing alfalfa hay and soy beans tothem. ‘These gilts produced thrifty spring pigs 
the greater number of pigs produced per sow lowers the cost of main- 
taining the breeding herd per pig. 
As the maintenance of the breeding herd is a large item of cost in 
pork production, it will be well to consider the relation of cost of 
maintaining the breeding herd to the entire pork production process. 
Table 5 shows the relation which exists between the number of pigs 
weaned per sow and the cost of maintenance of the breeding herd 
per pig and the gross cost of 100 pounds gain. This table shows 
clearly that maximum herd performance is desirable although the 
cost of maintaining the sow may be increased. Better feed and wise 
management may result in greater cost per sow, but this expenditure 
is a real saving if better and more pigs are produced. The economic 
advantage to the pork producer of raising as Many pigs per sow as 
possible is worthy of attention. The burden of a fish cost of main- 
tenance of the breeding herd is a handicap upon the weanling pig 
and is a large factor in determining profit or loss. Reduced cost has ° 
the same effect upon profit as an increased sale price, 
