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The “high” cost of pork….
….we’ve been warning that, because of increased feed and processing costs, our pork prices will be higher this time. But not this high: http://news.yahoo.com/flavor-experiment-wash-farmer-feeds-pot-pigs-083209301.html Thanks to Keith Smith for the link.
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None dare call it Big Ag….
….or Big Government, for that matter. The giant hog farms are in the midst of a desperate struggle to save their piglet crop. Reuters is reporting a devastating virus has now hit about 200 farms in a dozen states and is spreading. No one is estimating how many piglets have died but the mortality rate is apparently about 50%. Bigger pigs are affected too….and while they really don’t have a handle on the situation….the folks in the government are quickly assuring us that pork is safe to eat. Whatever their other sins, the members of the Unholy Alliance has its press releases close at hand. Here’s the link: http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/24/us-usa-hogs-virus-spreads-idUSBRE95N1DR20130624 Industrial…
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Peek-a-boo….
….well, we took a deep breath and released our month-old piglets into the woods. Not quite freedom though; a two strand polywire electric fence is holding them to about a half acre. They come back for food and water and to sleep in an old stall, but we’ve noticed a decline in feed consumption, probably because of all the acorns they’re finding in their new “digs”. They are clearly reveling in their new-found freedom and we’ll eventually expand their area for roaming. Someday (perhaps) we’ll let them go altogether. I’m already fairly confident they’ll come back in the evening for the safety of their beds. We do have bear, fox and…
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Tummy-aches….
….I’ve been feeling for some time that the recent group of pigs that we’ve been fattening were better-behaved than some in the past. Truthfully, when pigs get about this size, I am on guard. They’re powerful enough to knock you down. And they’ve staggered me several times. Certainly, the pigs have been rough on each other as well. But our newer animals have not been as rambunctious. In fact, I commented to Wooz the other day that I thought the pigs actually seemed happier. I credited it to our new suppliers, Deb and Curry Parker; and their daily contact with new piglets is probably part of the reason. But now…
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Bacon on the way…
….well, not yet. First these piglets have a vacation in store for them at Thistle Hill farm. And a new feeding ground, too. This picture was taken at Deb and Curry Parker’s farm near Culpeper, Virginia. We are Tamworth fans and we think they raise the best! We have been fattening our pigs on pasture….with plenty of trees…but now we’re fencing sections of our woods so that they’ll have an unlimited supply of acorns. Right now they’re in a big pen with electric wire around the fence….learning that that tiny wire means business. Incidentally, their predecessors are at the abattoir and we should have sausages, chops and bacon available very soon.
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Piglet’s first time….
….rolling in the mud. There can’t be a photo that better captures pure joy. The photo and the pig belong to Mike Jones, who just purchased some cows here at Thistle Hill. (see “Parting is sweet sorrow” below) This little Tamworth pig was lucky enough to find some mud her first day in the pasture.
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Don’t forget me….
….”Bacon” was a little late for the photo shoot but followed along the fence until her picture was taken. We enjoy the pigs so much we often consider raising our own. But that requires feeding a big sow year-around and dealing with a boar, too. Besides, the folks who supply our piglets, Deb and Curry Parker, do such a great job we couldn’t do better. Pig Portraits by Duane.
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Pinups…
….from the pig pasture. We never seem to have any trouble getting our pigs to pose. I guess when you know you’re beautiful…. They’re approaching 200 pounds now and thriving with the new non-GMO feed we’ve been giving them. Soon, we’ll take delivery of four more piglets and plan to have 8 to 12 at any one time. We’ve prepared a new pen for the “blessed event” and this time are planning to actually graze them in the woods for an unlimited supply of acorns. If you’ve never tried Thistle Hill pork, we urge you to put your name on “the list”…it’s really special. info@thistlehill.net
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Can’t forget the pigs…
….they seem to do just fine in the snow and cold despite very short hair. We do give them an extra ration in bad weather. And this is a good time to note that we now are giving them non-GMO feed. It’s always bothered us that the one weak link in our “doing things naturally” process was that we were forced to feed regular grain. Recently we found a source down in the Shenandoah Valley that grows non-GMO feed and, better yet, sells it at a reasonable price. We’ve made the switch without increasing costs. Best of all, like our cows, our pigs are now truly “doing what comes naturally”.
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For the love of bacon…
I’ve come late to the ranks of Baconuts. Like most people I thought it was too fat. Either that, or burned to a crisp and tasteless. But then (forgive me) I tasted Thistle Hill bacon and I’ve been hooked ever since. Call me greedy, but I resent every package that we part with. Our sausages are great, too, but the bacon…. Now if you’re still worried about “too much fat”….you might read this: http://paleodietlifestyle.com/for-the-love-of-bacon/ PS: our pigs are doing fine and should be ready in the spring. Acorn fattened! Can’t wait to see the effect of that.