CLOVER FOR PIGS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18352, 24 August 1929, Page 16

CLOVER FOR PIGS

CUTTING THE FIRST CROP. Apart from the fact that pigs fed upon it grow fast and wax fit, clover is one of the best foods for pigs because of its other advantages. In n favourable season clover quickly recovers after being fed off. and the running of pigs on pasture seems to encourage the growth of clover. During a long dry spell clover makes poor growth in comparison with lucerne, and in a very hot summer it may be quite dried up. but no crop responds more readily to rain after a long spell of drought, provided that the roots are not seriously affected. It has been noticed in fields in which the plant had not previously been prominent (states the Live Stock Bulletin, England) that after pigs had been run on them for some time clover made its appearance in many places. When clover is sown by itself or as a mixture, ample time should be given to it to establish itself before any grazing it permitted. It is, in fact, probably better not to graze it off until it has been cut at least once for greenstuff or hay. Pigs should not be turned on clover until the plant is well in flower. In the seeding stage it probably is still more valuable, though it should not be allowed to stand too I long.