STOCK FOOD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 30 November 1938, Page 3

STOCK FOOD

RIGHT TYPE OF PROTEIN ESSENTIAL HOW TO SECURE RAPID GROWTH. FATTENING OF PIGS. In mixing rations for livestock —and this applies to pigs in no less a degree than to any other class of animal —the inclusion of the right type of protein is of the utmost importance. But the choice of the correct protein-rich food is not always easy, states Stephen Williams in the “Farmer’s Weekly” (England). Some forms of protein, for instance, are better than others for growing stock and milk production. At the moment the only two hornsproduced concentrates rich in protein are peas and beans, though both the soya bean and the sweet lupin have possibilities in this country. The latter has,- during the past four or five years, developed to a really astonishing degree in central European countries which are making a bid for self-suffic-iency in food materials. Sweet lupin meal has been successfully fed to pigs and has proved a satisfactory partial substitute for fish meal, but has a tendency to harden the fat in the carcase. DANGER OF PULSE CROPS. Peas and beans are pig foods of old standing and most farmers are familiar with them. They are apt to produce an undesirable hardness in the carcase when cured, and since this is not noticeable if the proportion of pulses is less than 25 per cent in the ration, it is advisable to regard this figure as the maximum. Both peas and beans have a binding effect and it is essential that the state of the dung is watched when'feeding such foods. White-fish meal is another commonly used source of protein and a valuable constituent in rations for all classes of pig. Only the best should be fed for bacon production and the ration should never contain more than 10 per cent in the early stages and 5 per cent in the final stages of feeding. It is advisable to discontinue fish meal a month before slaughter to prevent fishy taint in the bacon. Although, according to results of carefully conducted trials, feeding fish-meal at the rate of 10 per cent to baconers up to the time of slaughter has failed to impart any fishy taint. FISH MEAL BENEFICIAL. It is our experience that high grade fish meal is a satisfactory pig-food and surpasses its substitutes on almost every score. Pigs receiving 10 and later 5 per cent fish meal in their rations carry themselves well, are always active on their legs, show a thriving bloom and come to the trough with an eagerness which shows that the pig knows what is best for it. Of course, there are many types of fishmeal and for feeding stock only white-fish meal, with not more than 6 per cent oil should be considered. Soya bean meal, containing 1-2 per cent oil, has been popular as a substitute for fish meal in the late stages of fattening. If it 'is the only protein-rich food included in the rations for young pigs it should be fed up to about T2 per cent. Results of feeding soya meal are not usually so satisfactory as those obtained with fish meal, but if a small percentage of possibly 3 and later 2 per cent dried peas is fed as well as the soya meal, satisfactory results are obtained. Extracted soya bean meal is probably better than the soya cake meal because it contains less soya oil, which has a softening effect on the fat in the carcase. Decorticated ground nut meal fulfils the same role as soya meal and is often used in place of fish meal. Both ground nut and soya meal are deficient in lime and should be supplemented by minerals, chiefly lime and salt. Better results are obtained with these foods if cod-liver oil is fed in addition. Small percentages of linseed cake and meal are valuable for maintaining health and producing bloom of coat and skin, but if linseed products are fed during the late stages of fattening in amounts exceeding 5 per cent they may produce a soft yellow fat. DRY BLOOD & MEAT MEAL. Dried blood and meat feeal can be recommended if they are bought on analysis and are of known reliable origin. They are rich in protein and consequently only very small amounts of 4 or 5 per cent are needed. On the market are several grades of meat meal some of which would be better named meat and bone meal. For that reason the farmer is advised to ascertain exactly what he is buying. Meat and bone meal is, of course, a satisfactory substitute for fish-meal, but it is not so rich in protein as meat meal and can be fed to young growing pigs to the extent of 10 per cent of the ration. Whole meat meal is very similar to meat meal, though as a food for pigs experimental evidence is not consistently in its favour. VALUE OF DAIRY BY-PRODUCTS. In conclusion, reference should be made to the value of dairy by-products as protein suppliers for pigs. The feeding of whole milk is rarely an economic proposition for the pig-feeder and its value as a pig food is of theoretical interest only. Separated milk, however, often finds its way to the pig-trough with very satisfactory results. Most farmers who have used it are familiar with the characteristic bloom of the pigs. Experimental evidence has gone to show that it is highly digestible and promotes the digestion of other constituents of the ration. It has a very beneficial effect on carcase quality of both pork and bacon pigs. Fat and lean meat are improved in quality. Fed fresh, however.-it is slightly binding and care must be taken to ensure that pigs do not suffer in consequence. Dried separated or skim milk resembles the fresh material closely if fed in corresponding amounts. It is probable that a gallon of separated milk, or a pound of separated or skim milk powder, is worth rather more than a pound of soya meal as a protein supplement to cereals for pigs, though the comparison is hardly a good one. Separated milk contains much of value besides protein.