A black and white story

Chris Graham throws a deserving spotlight on Ron Fieldhouse, his award winning Large Whites and his lifetime’s dedication to pedigree pig breeding

- Chris Graham

Everyone reading this appreciates the importance of conserving our precious native pig breeds. With the numbers of sows, boars and herds frighteningly low in some cases, there’s still much work to be done to maintain the situation, let alone improve it. But, thanks to the unstinting efforts of pedigree pig enthusiasts like Ron Fieldhouse, there’s hope for a future in which all of our precious, rare pig breeds – and the priceless genetic resource they hold – survive in viable numbers among a growing band of knowledgeable and appreciative keepers.

Ron has worked for many years promoting the many values of pedigree pigs, the fundamental importance of their continued support and the constant need to encourage new and young keepers into the fold. His achievements have been many and varied over the years, and he hit the headlines after being crowned ‘Pedigree Breeder of the Year’ in the prestigious National Pig Awards, 2020. It was a fitting accolade for Ron, and acknowledged his excellent work with his current herd of Large White pigs. However, there’s so much more to his story, as I discovered when we chatted recently about his life with pigs, how things have changed over the years and how he sees the future.

MODEST BUT PROUD

Ron Fieldhouse is a modest but proud Yorkshireman who, rather typically, isn’t one to blow his own trumpet. In some respects, this is a shame as, following our conversation, it was clear to me that if things were different, many an inspirational tune could be played on that metaphorical instrument!