SUGAR BEET FOR PIGS

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 58, 1 December 1937, Page 13

SUGAR BEET FOR PIGS

Splendid Results in Waimate Experiment A crop of sugar beet grown on the Waimate West Demonstratio(n Fanm for the purpose of beet-sugar investigation is creating interest as a faed for pigs* It is the nsual farm practice to winter store pigs in open, small, grass paddock runs, with a ration of mangels, carrots, and whey. This year, however, xoot-growing is confined to the above area of sugar beet, with the exception of a very small hrea of carrots. A start was made in feeding sugar beet to the pigs during May last, and although at the commencement a few carrots were fed out with the beet the pigs selected and ate the sugar beet prior to the carrots. The manager states that the pigs are particularly partial to sugar beet, arfd he has never had pigs to winter and thrive so well. A total of 22 store pigs and one sow with a litter of nine are being regulaTly fed with sugar beet. The total amount fed in conjunction with whey is from 651b to 751b per day, and the grass run area is approximately 1| acres. The beet is lifted, leaves topped, and allowed t.o ripen some 10 days prior to feeding. Experience to date is such that sugar beet presents possibilities as a valuaUle pig f eed. — Journal of Agriculture.