Pastured Pigs

[LittleRedHen]

Does anyone raise their pigs mostly on pasture? Do you sell pastured pork? is there much of a market for it?

[highlands]

Yes, lots of people do. We sell the meat wholesale and retail as well as whole pigs, half pigs and live piglets for people who want to raise their own. We have a herd, actually two herds now, of about 40 sows plus boars and assorted grower pigs from little piglets through finishers.

See our farm web site at:

http://SugarMtnFarm.com/

and my blog which has many articles about it at:

http://SugarMtnFarm.com/blog/

Here's a few specific starter articles that link to more info:

http://sugarmtnfarm.com/blog/2005/08...-for-meat.html
http://sugarmtnfarm.com/blog/2007/10...d-per-pig.html
http://sugarmtnfarm.com/blog/2007/10...ew-of-smf.html
http://sugarmtnfarm.com/blog/2006/07...pig-share.html
http://sugarmtnfarm.com/blog/2006/01...th-string.html
http://sugarmtnfarm.com/blog/2005/10...u-natural.html
http://sugarmtnfarm.com/blog/2005/10/more-fencing.html
http://sugarmtnfarm.com/blog/2005/11/to-cut-or-not.html

There's lots of info here on this discussion board in the archives - use the search function or google on Pastured Pigs. There is also a discussion list HomesteadHogs at:

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/homesteadhogs/

Cheers,

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
in the mountains of Vermont
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/blog/
http://HollyGraphicArt.com/
http://NoNAIS.org

[LittleRedHen]

I have been reading books by Joel Salatin in regards to farming. I know he goes for Pastured Poultry but I think we would do well for pastured pork! now the big thing will be paying off our mortgage so that we can move and buy some land so we can farm better. Doing things step by step. I sure love raising pigs!

I like your website too.

How long have you been in business and how do you advertise for customers? and how much land do you run your pigs on?

[highlands]

ChickenLittle, We've been doing livestock of one form or another for about fifteen years and pigs for about five years. Advertising is primarily word of mouth, posters on bulletin boards, sig in my email and we do have a web page that gives info about our farm and pigs.

We currently use about 10 acres for the pigs. See this post about How Much Land per Pig. Basically it comes out to about 2,000 sq-ft per pig of pasture per finisher sized pig. That's about 20 per acre using intensive rotational managed grazing. With better quality pasture you could probably have more per acre. Gradually the pigs are improving the pasture.

Take your time, start small, grow as you learn. It is easier to make small mistakes.

Cheers,

-Walter
Sugar Mountain Farm
in the mountains of Vermont
http://SugarMtnFarm.com/blog/
http://HollyGraphicArt.com/
http://NoNAIS.org