THE PIG FOR PROFIT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 13908, 8 November 1919, Page 7

THE PIG FOR PROFIT.

All other-conditions being equal, if a pig digests a larger percentage of grain, so converting it into animal increase. than a- steer, cow, or sheep, it is evidently the most profitable machine ; but if the labor and expenses lire greater, and the price realised less, on the part of the pig, the question represents another aspect. Every farmer can easily turn these considerations to suit his particular circumstances, but with regard to the respective uses which our domestic animals make of the food consumed, lie is working blindfolded. Experiments have, been numerous enough to be conclusive on these points. Both Lawes and Gilberts in England, and other's experiments in Germany prior to the war, have rendered farmers incalculable benefits, and the results'of their experiences have proved the vast superiority of the pig. Of the mineral or saline constitution of the food, Lawes found the pigs stored up 4.5 per cent, against ,'i.S for the sheep and 2.3 per cent for the ox; and of the nitrogenous or flesh-forming** constituents, the pig stored up 14.7 per cent, against 4.3 for the sheep and 3.S for the ox. These and numerous other experiments prove beyond a doubt that a pig is by far the most profitable consumer of farm products. However, the best results cannot be obtained without- the use of small quantities of grain. The fact that pigs require less attention, consume many products that would otherwise be wasted, and have less waste ill the carcase, is a liberal offset against the sometimes lower price of their Uesli compared with beef.