Productive breed or cross

[Symphony]

Ok, I was reading the many posts and wondered if for pasture raising if there is a certain breed or cross that does better than the others.

Size doesn't matter but we wouldn't want real slow growers. We wouldn't have any Boars just a couple gilts to start.

 

[Symphony]

I guess they don't exist.

 

[PattySh]

From what I've read alot of people who are pasture raising are also feeding milk or grain and calling it grassfed pork. It is good for them to have "greens" for sure but Pigs won't do well on pasture alone. I have fed grass hay to mine especially in the winter for extra "bulk" plus they eat their bedding! I think it is like 1/3 of their total feed that can be vegie. We get cafeteria vegie and fruit cuttings and our pigs are on grain and get that in addition. White pigs will sunburn bad and the hairier pigs like Duroc etc are more prone to going thru the electric fencing. I would see what is available in your area, confine them for several days before turning them loose on pasture and consider pasture extra food. Just a warning, we had our pigs outside and all they did was plow the land under and made a huge mudhole! My friend also tried to put hers on pasture (14 of them I believe) and now has a nice dirt lot.

 

[Cornish Heritage]

Ok, I was reading the many posts and wondered if for pasture raising if there is a certain breed or cross that does better than the others.

YES! SO the simple answer is YES but the more complicated answer is that just as with cows, some of the breeds have had the grass genetics bred out of them These animals cannot thrive anymore on grass which IMO is very sad. If you are wanting to raise pigs on pasture it is absolutely imperative that you purchase your stock from someone that is already doing it. It is not only the breed that will make the difference but also how they are being raised.

For example - we raise Large Blacks here. They are pastured 24/7. They do get some grain/eggs/milk supplementation (a pig has a single stomach like we do) but nowhere near the amount a commercial. confined pig would eat. However not all Large Blacks are raised the same. When we move ours to fresh pasture they are SO excited & go to chowing down on the grass immediately but I have noticed that other Large Blacks do not do that. One time we brought two in here & they looked at the grass as if to say "What is that?!"

You also need to research on how much rooting they do. if you go to the farm & see the grass all torn up you do not want those pigs. Large Blacks do not root very much - you can walk our pastures without tripping in holes & mud! A cross breed will grow faster but you need to make sure you purchase the right cross. Most pastured pigs are heritage pigs. They take longer to mature to butcher weight so whereas a commercial hog is ready to be butchered in 6mths , a Large Black can take 10-14mths to reach the same weight but you will have a much healthier meat at the end. The heritage breeds tend to have darker meat - more flavorsome. It is definitely NOT your 'other white meat.' LB meat is nearly as dark as beef.

Breeds I would recommend:

Large Blacks
Red Wattles
Gloucestershire Old Spots

Be prepared to pay more for the piglets. They are not normally as cheap as a commercial hog.

Liz

 

[Symphony]

Ok, I was reading the many posts and wondered if for pasture raising if there is a certain breed or cross that does better than the others.

YES! SO the simple answer is YES but the more complicated answer is that just as with cows, some of the breeds have had the grass genetics bred out of them These animals cannot thrive anymore on grass which IMO is very sad. If you are wanting to raise pigs on pasture it is absolutely imperative that you purchase your stock from someone that is already doing it. It is not only the breed that will make the difference but also how they are being raised.

For example - we raise Large Blacks here. They are pastured 24/7. They do get some grain/eggs/milk supplementation (a pig has a single stomach like we do) but nowhere near the amount a commercial. confined pig would eat. However not all Large Blacks are raised the same. When we move ours to fresh pasture they are SO excited & go to chowing down on the grass immediately but I have noticed that other Large Blacks do not do that. One time we brought two in here & they looked at the grass as if to say "What is that?!"

You also need to research on how much rooting they do. if you go to the farm & see the grass all torn up you do not want those pigs. Large Blacks do not root very much - you can walk our pastures without tripping in holes & mud! A cross breed will grow faster but you need to make sure you purchase the right cross. Most pastured pigs are heritage pigs. They take longer to mature to butcher weight so whereas a commercial hog is ready to be butchered in 6mths , a Large Black can take 10-14mths to reach the same weight but you will have a much healthier meat at the end. The heritage breeds tend to have darker meat - more flavorsome. It is definitely NOT your 'other white meat.' LB meat is nearly as dark as beef.

Breeds I would recommend:

Large Blacks
Red Wattles
Gloucestershire Old Spots

Be prepared to pay more for the piglets. They are not normally as cheap as a commercial hog.

Liz

Thankyou that was a great answer. I have seen only one pasture pig farm in my area and will probably go and talk him up next time I'm in the area. If I recall the pigs were red in color and pretty good size but I was just driving by so who knows. Thanks for the stuff to think about and what to consider.

 

[Cornish Heritage]

If I recall the pigs were red in color and pretty good size

Red Wattles are red as are Durocs.

Liz

 

[Royd Wood]

If I recall the pigs were red in color and pretty good size

Red Wattles are red as are Durocs.

Liz

and Tamworth - well rusty red

 

[Cornish Heritage]

and Tamworth - well rusty red

Oh DUH! Sorry I forgot them! Oops!

Liz