The Care of Pigs

Manawatu Times, Volume 65, Issue 180, 1 August 1940, Page 2

The Care of Pigs

ADDRESS BY GOVERNMENT SUPERVISOR VALUE OF PROPER FEEDING AND HOUSING A very interesting address on swine husbandry was given to a large number of Pahiatua farmers recently by Mr. M. J. Scott, supervisor of the pig industry for the Dominion. . Wliey Feeding. At the outset, Mr. .Scott mentioned that the change-over from butter to cheese would affect about 60,000 cows or 40,000 baconer pigs throughout New Zealand. Under whey they could pro duce half that number of pigs. The big difficulty with whey, he said, was getting it back on to the farms. That would be the determining factor in tho question of whether the whey feeding system was proceeded with. Whey had I a bad name because many thought it I only half as good as skim milk and consequently did not bother to find means of getting the good out of it. Trials had been carried out at Ruakura State Farm and Lincoln College which had proved that, fed on whey, litters of pigs were just as well off in every respect as pigs fed on skim milk. Another reason was that whey was death to little pigs. Men had tried to take weaners through the store stage on whey and had failed. But people had not gone to tho trouble of investigating the possibilities of feeding whey with meat meal. When they did begin to realise its value men began to see tne difference in their stock. Use of Crops. The only way that a definite increaro in pig production could be achieved, said Mr. Scott, was by the greater us<of the crops on tho farm. They had cried out too long for imported grain. Tho Danes had tried that scheme, and in tho end they had been manufacturing pigs, not producing them. If pig production was built up on crops it would be sound production. Half the pigs in New Zealand had been let go back with the result that to-day they were turning out baconers at eight months, when they should be turned out at six months. Feeding of Young. The correct methods of feeding a sow end litter were explained by Mr. Scott. With a maiden sow theso days it was usual for her to go off after six litters, whereas she should be producing up to ten litters, he said. On the average. New Zealand farmers got 4$ litters per sow. Tho reason for this was that most maiden sows were in good condition when taken to the boar, but instead or building them up ngain after tho first litter they were let go back, each time losing considerably in weight. If a sow was in poor condition when going to the boar every subsequent setback she received in the way of ailments, etc., would bo noticeably reflected in her litter.

W hen a sow farrowed she required about 121 us. of good feed a day—4lhs. for herself and lib. for each of tho litter. The litter pigs should have about £oz*. or* meatraea! a day at three weeks old and at weaning, 21bs. of good feed plus two gallons of milk. With such a system a 401 b. pig should result. Tho rate of increase in feed of a wcanor pig was about §lb. a fortnight. Tho basis of 21bs. of good feed a day was probably the most universally adhered to system in. the world. After six months

such pigs should bo in tho vicinity of 1501bs. and at 7* months 2001bs. Climatic Conditions. In reply to a question, Mr. Scott remarked that climatic conditions were, of course, a big factor to be considered, and here the essence was good housing. Pigs must have warmth, apparently more so in a district such as Pahiatua where the climate was colder. Mr. Scott comprehensively outlined the various types of roots suitable for feeding to pigs—carrots, swedes, soft turnips, mangolds, sugar beet. The ' latter, in his opinion, was tho most beneficial because of its high sugar content. The crux of the whole problem was, however, that a farmer had to grow whatever roots would thrive oa his property at whatever timo was most suitable. With regard to the sugar beet, however, farmers should remember that there were nine varieties which should be investigated thoroughly to discover the most suitable for local conditions. Grain Feeding. Briefly touching upon the question of grain, Mr. Scott advocated the feeding of barley, etc., in such a manner that the pigs had to eat it slowly and chew it. By this means more benefit would be derived. Reverting to tho question of meatmeal, he stated that for every sow on a farm, the farmer should have at least half a ton of meal. Some men fed their stock with boiled or steamed food, but the dry system was just as satisfactory and besides, tho heating apparatus, etc., involved considex-able outlay. Mr. Scott also spoke at length on matters relating to breeding and housing, whilo he auswered mauy questions in the subsequent round-table discussion into which the meeting finally resolved itself.

A vote of thanks to the speaker wa: carried by acclamation, on the motioi of the chairman (Mr. A. W. Bisset).