Rare Breeds
Saddleback Pig
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The
English Saddleback rare breed pig has a high reputation as a mother
sow. The sows have large litters and are known to be excellent
milkers. |
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The
Gloucestershire Old Spot rare breed pig is a large meaty animal with
a broad and deep body. It has a white coat that has large clearly
defined black spots. Traditionally the Gloucestershire Old Spot was usually kept in the local cider and perry pear orchards, and on the dairy farms. Windfall fruit and waste from the dairies supplemented the Old Spot's grazing diet. In traditional local folklore it is said that the spots on its back are bruises from the falling fruit. The Gloucestershire Old Spot is also known as Gloster Spot or just Old Spot, as well as The Orchard Pig and The Cottager's Pig. The Gloucester Old Spot rare breed pig is extremely docile and friendly. The Gloucester Old Spot rare breed pig has a distinct layer of back fat and marbling within the meat, whereas modern pigs hardly have any visable fat on their backs, or as marbling within the muscle. That layer of back fat means that it is hardy enough for outdoor production but it also means that when the meat is cooking, it is being basted in its own fat making the meat succulent and full of flavour. (BPA) "Once you try Gloucestershire Old Spots pork, you'll turn your back on the tasteless, dried up, intensively reared pork forever." - Derek Cooper on the BBC Radio 4 Food Programme. |
Large Black Pig
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The Large Black traditional breed pig has origins in the Old English Hog of the 16th and 17th centuries, and is one of Englands oldest pig breeds. By the late 1800's the main strongholds of the breed were in East Anglia and Devon & Cornwall, and two distinct types of pigs were produced. The founding of the Large Black Pig Society in 1889 led to an increase in the exchange of stock between breeders in the two areas. In the early part of this century Large Blacks became more widely distributed, and were frequently crossed with Large White and Middle White to produce both porkers and baconers. The Large Black enjoyed considerable success in both the Show and Sale ring. At Smithfield Show in 1919 the Supreme Championship was awarded to a Large Black sow subsequently sold for 700 guineas. In the same year Large Blacks outnumbered all other breeds at the Royal Show, with 121 being exhibited. |
Our Rare Breed Smallholding
Our Rare Breeds Pigs are ethically produced on the Nottinghamshire / Lincolnshire border to the highest welfare standards.
“Succulent Joints & Cuts of Pork, from our Rare Breeds Pigs.”
-Saddleback, Large Black , Gloucester Old Spot.