We have our new Tutaki boar line!

Last week we drove to Salt Lake City, Utah to pick up our new kunekune boar from Susan Drake in New York. This is a new line that just was imported to the United States. The boar line is the Tutaki line. My first thoughts upon seeing him in the crate at the airport, was that he was huge. Usually kunekune piglets grow really slow. He is very large for being just 9 weeks old. Big works for us with kunekunes. I think girls with girth do better at farrowing time than those that have small compact little bodies. We are quite pleased with our new boar and after much discussion (we drove 900 miles that day, so we had lots of time for discussion) we decided we are calling him Yankee. He is a wonderful addition to our farm. We look forward to using him for many years to come as one of our breeding boars.
That same day we also talked with a swine nutritionist and picked up some sow concentrate. We also raise Berkshire pigs and Duroc pigs in addition to our kunekune herd. Sows require more nutrients and vitamins than pigs that are to be finished for butchering do. We got some great information from the swine nutritionists and we are very happy to have met him. They we were off to look at some Berkshires. The owners wanted to sell the entire herd. They were not really what we were looking for. We are pasture based opperation. We like short snouts on our pigs. The shorter the snout, the better suited the pig is for grazing and not rooting. These Berkshires just did not meet our requirements.

Waiting on piglets

It seems like the story of our lives is waiting on piglets. Piglets are so cute to watch frolicking around. We never tire of seeing them or holding them in our hands when they are born. We are currently waiting for 2 litters in June and one in August. I believe we have a 4th litter due as well but I am not sure of a due date.
We are also waiting for the arrival of Copper. Copper is a Tutaki boar line that we are acquiring from Susan Drake at Hart's Cove Farms in New York. After speaking with Susan yesterday, we are looking at a shipping date around the 7th of June.

Cold,wet, spring in Idaho

Well it has been a cold and wet spring here in Idaho. We do have 70 degree weather forecasted for this week! The pasture is growing and looks nice. The trees have not leafed out yet, but hopefully with the warmer weather will soon. The American Kunekune Breeders Association Conference that was scheduled to be held at the World Pork Expo has been canceled. The Conference has been rescheduled for August 26th and 27th at Black Valley Farm in Everett, PA. Brian and Alana Schoffstall will be hosting the event at their farm in conjunction with Pennsylvania Association for Substainable Agriculture. This event will be geared towards substainable agriculture as well as raising kunekune pigs. Registration is required for the event. For information please contact Lori Enright at American kunekune breeders association website at
http://sites.google.com/site/americankunekunebreeders/Home/history-of-kunekune-pigs-in-america/request-forms-for-akba-registry/frequently-asked-questions