THE ULTIMATE SMALL-FARM HOG Guide

RAISING PIGS CAN BE A TASTY, AFFORDABLE SMALL-FARM ADDITION.

- BY HOPE ELLIS-ASHBURN

Whether seeking out a single farming enterprise or a way to diversify your operation, pasture pigs can make great additions to a small farm. Popular pasture pig breeds include the Idaho Pasture Pig, Kunekune, Large Black and Tamworth. Outside of producing pork for home use or sale, pigs can also be used for clearing brush-filled areas, rototilling gardens during the winter months or even sealing shallow ponds.

One significant lure of raising your own pigs is the amount of control you can exact over what, from feed to medication, goes into your animals. "You've got the ability to raise these pigs the way you want them to be raised," says Jodi Cronauer, registrar of the Idaho Pasture Pig Registry. Cronauer raises Idaho Pasture Pigs and Kunekunes on her Wisconsin-based White Bison Farm. You can choose, for example, what vaccinations you will use, if any at all, and how to address deworming.

Another reason is the improved taste of the meat. Fans of pastureraised, heritage-breed pigs claim that the taste of the meat is far superior to that of pigs raised commercially. And the hogs themselves benefit from being raised outdoors on a nutrient rich pasture.

LAND & FORAGE

If you are convinced that raising pigs is for you, the first step includes assessing your property to assure that it's a viable operation. Heritage breeds, such as those mentioned, prefer forest or pasture areas. Forested areas should have available fruits, acorns and nuts, collectively known as mast. Any area you are considering should also have available water sources for hydration as well as areas where wallows will develop for cooling. If these areas are available on your property, can they be fenced?

Finally, ask yourself if you have enough land that you can rotate pastures to prevent soil erosion. A variety of factors influence land requirements. It's best to consult your county extension agent or soil conservation service about your specific needs.