Tamworth pig
Originating in England, the breed name derives from the town of Tamworth in Staffordshire. The Tamworth is among one of the oldest of porcine breeds. As with many of the older breeds of livestock the Tamworth has not coped well with modern production methods.
The pigs colours range from a pale gingery to dark mahogany red ginger it is thought to have descended from wild boars via native pig stock in Europe. The main breeding areas of this pig today are in UK, USA, Australia, New Zealand and Canada.
The Tamworth is easy going and enjoys the attention of humans. The breed exhibits an elongated head shape and a long narrow body. The ears are erect and pointed, while the face has rectilinear lines. Early in the breed history, colours were red and black, but breeding has been conducted to remove the black colouration. Due to the pigs bristle density it is less prone to sun burn than other pigs but in the summer months when moulting they will search out shade and mud to avoid any chance of sunburn.
The Tamworths are considered a medium sized porcine breed. The adult length ranges from 1.0 to 1.4 metres and heights of about 50 to 65 centimetres are common. The curled adult tail is about 24 to 30 centimetres long. This animal is characterised by having a neck and legs that are long, and by deep sides, but narrow backs. They have ham structures that are quite muscular and un-flaccid. The breed is also known for having excellent foot structure and a good skeletal system. The size of the litter of a Tamworth is less than commercial breeds hence the reason for its unpopularity amongst commercial breeders.
Gloucestershire Old spot pig.
The Gloucestershire old spot makes an excellent mother and they thrive outdoors. Their independence and ability to produce healthy litters twice a year ensures they are fast becoming Britain's favourite organic pig.
With a pedigree dating back to 1913, Gloucester Old Spots are the oldest pedigree spotted pigs in the world. Originally from the Berkeley Vale region, the Gloucester Old Spots were traditionally known as the ‘Orchard’ or ‘Cottage’ Pig as they lived in gardens and smallholdings and were reared largely as domestic animals.
The pigs are one of the most recognized of all the pig breeds with their large black spots and floppy ears. Folklore claims the large black spots are bruises caused by the apples falling onto them as they foraged the orchard floors for food.
A true Gloucester Old Spot sports only jet black spots, grey or blue spots are a sign of the cross breeding attempted during the war years. Old Spots are by nature a lazy breed and they did not adapt to the indoor pens introduced in the 1930s and by the 1950s this large friendly pig was in grave danger of extinction with less than a hundred in existence.
Worcestershire farmer, George Styles had become so alarmed by the decline of his favourite pig that he set out single handily to save the breed. Today thanks to him there are over 600 breeding females in the UK alone.
Saddleback pig
The Wessex Saddleback or Wessex Pig is a breed originating in the West country of England especially around Wiltshire and the New Forest. It is black, with a white band about the forepart of the body, extending from one fore foot over the shoulder to the other, resembling a 'saddle'. It is a tall, rangy animal, adapted to foraging in woodland such as in the New Forest.
In Britain, the Wessex Saddleback breed was crossed in 1967 with the similarly coloured (but otherwise rather different) Essex Pig to form a hybrid breed, the British Saddleback A few herds of Essex Pigs have survived in a pure form in Britain, but the Wessex is considered extinct in its country of origin. In 2006 embryos and the semen of Wessex Saddleback pigs were imported into Britain to re-establish the breed.
The name "Wessex Saddleback" is sometimes used loosely and incorrectly to refer to British Saddleback pigs. Regarded as an excellent eating pig the Wessex Saddleback was traditionally used as a "baconer" and grown out for bacon and hams.
British lop pig
One of the rarest of all the pig breeds in the UK. The British Lop is a west country breed which originated around the Tavistock area either side of Cornwall/Devon In those days it was registered and known as the National Long White Lop Eared breed. In the 1960s, the name was changed to today’s British Lop. Due to its ‘standard’ look the British lop has been up until now fairly overlooked as being endangered, it could be easily mistaken for more common breeds such as the Welsh or the Landrace. Instead, enthusiasts flocked to pigs with short snouts, spotted or ginger hogs but not so readily to the pig that looked quite normal. Yet the Lop has a great deal going for it. It is generally docile and easy to manage and is hardy enough for outdoor systems. It grows readily and will finish with a well-muscled, lean carcass at pork or bacon weights. The dams are prolific and make good mothers. So, whether for larger production systems or for smallholders looking for an easily managed breed to produce good quality meat for the growing niche market, the Lop will do the job and do it better than most.
Large White
First recognised in 1868 the Large White owes its origins to the old Yorkshire breed. The Large White was one of the original founder breeds of the National Pig Breeders' Association (now known as the British Pig Association) and the first herdbook was published in 1884.
Large Whites are distinguished by their erect ears and slightly dished faces. They are long-bodied with excellent hams and fine white hair and, as their name suggests, they are characterised by large size.
The early history of the breed in Yorkshire is difficult to trace. The large, coarse-boned and leggy white pigs of the region were crossed with other breeds. Suggestions were made that among these were the Cumberland, Leicestershire and the Middle and Small White. Specimens of the new breed first attracted attention at the Windsor Royal Show in 1831 .The stock used in the development and improvement of the pigs of that area is not as important as what was finally produced as a breed.
The Large White has proved itself as a rugged and hardy breed that can withstand variations in climate and other environmental factors. Their ability to cross with and improve other breeds has given them a leading role in commercial pig production systems and breeding pyramids around the world.