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The Rural Voice, 1983-10, Page 35FARM ADVICE For economy, try substitution Feed companies have been least costing their rations for years and it's time for individual farms to start us- ing the same technology. Corn can be replaced quite rapidly for hogs with barley, wheat, wheat shorts or triticale. Even though you may not be getting maximum growth on your pigs, it may still be more economical to substitute these other grains. I called Dr. Les Young at the University of Guelph to give me more exact replacement values. Dr. Young said, "Barley can replace 100 per cent of the corn in your ration and it is worth 90 per cent of the value of corn." Therefore, if corn is priced at $175. per tonne, the feeding value of barley relative to corn is $157. per tonne. Which means if barley is pric- ed under $157. per tonne, it is more economical to feed barley than corn considering the pigs will grow a little slower and utilize more feed. Dr. Young also said that "triticale can replace corn pound for pound, but do not adjust for the protein in triticale. Wheat can also replace corn, but in the case of wheat, the protein is better, therefore adjust for protein (approximate protein is 115 per cent). Wheat shorts can supply about 75-80 per cent of the energy source from corn. The protein from wheat shorts can supply all the protein for sows. Rye has a good energy source, but we do not have a good handle on its palatable problems. Rye requires good blending facilities and it's the only feed that should be limited to ap- proximately one-third of the grain portion in the feed." Maybe it's time to start utilizing our feed companies a little more. It's time to try each company on the ser- vices they have to offer. Their objec- tive is to sell you feed. Your objective Hill AND Hill FARMS LIMITED should be to maximize your profits. So now that you know each other's objectives, how can both of you do better. Now may be the time to call your feed salesman and challenge him with the question of producing a cheaper ration utilizing all the resources you have on the farm and off the farm. ❑ Richard Smelski Swine Specialist Check your alfalfa The adverse growing condi; i0:1 have produced some poor stands oI alfalfa seedlings. The field should he inspected in late September. In some fields there will be seeds that didn't germinate until this fall and they will thicken up the stand to a satisfactory level. In fields with no new seedlings you can gamble another 5 kg/ha of alfalfa or put in red clover for a short rotation forage. The seed should be broadcast after November 20 and before April 1st. M.R. Bolton. Agricultural Representative. Clinfield Elevator Hill and Hill Farms are pleased to announce the purchase of Clinfield Elevators on Conc. 2 of Stanley Township. Peter Rowntree, OAC '83, who has worked for six summers for till & Hill, will be serving our customers at the Clinfield Elevators. Peter will also be our sales representative for First Line Seeds. Forward contracting available for CORN & SOYBEANS Now ready to handle your: CORN SOYBEANS 519-482-3218 Hill & Hill Elevator THE RURAL VOICE, OCTOBER 1983 PG. 33