The background portion of this article is by D. Phillip Sponenberg DVM, Ph.D. The rest is by Cathy R. Payne based largely on her most recent interview with Freddie Brinson. The photographs are by Freddie Brinson. Sponenberg reports on the history of Blue Hogs or Woods Hogs in southern states and Brinson’s efforts to locate and conserve the remaining remnants of this little-known hog. I was very intrigued by this and think that my readers…
It’s been a while since I shared some news. We’ll start with a re-homing need. SFF Shirley is available. Shirley is a 21-year-old gilt. Her owners, Chad and Michelle Butler, never got a boar and decided that they were moving in a different direction on their farm. Her older sibling, SFF Loretta, shares her pedigree. Loretta is moving to Alabama. Shirley will need to be placed around the same time because a pig alone is a sad thing indeed. This is a linebred girl who should still be young enough to readily breed. She is a very good weight. This picture was taken July, 2021. I would like to see these genetics go to a conservation home. Shirley is linebred with Maveric and Sumrall bloodlines that were not introduced into the registration gene pool until 2017.
This article highlights the importance of heritage breeds and the week set aside to highlight them in countries around the world. Cathy shares her activities to spread the word.
Each day, I take time to focus on gratitude. As Thanksgiving approaches, our collective national consciousness moves to that realm. I am grateful for so many things this month. My family is in good health, we eat delicious, nutritious, food supplied by our local sustainable farmers. I have friends who keep in touch, access to telemedicine, and a comfortable home. I am also grateful to my reading audience. You have been very supportive…
The West family, Daniel and Nina of Danina Farms, plan to travel with their four homeschooled children in the upcoming months and need to find a good placement for Danina Queen Esther, a three-year-old experienced sow, and BRP MS King Xerxes, her mate. Xerxes was bred by me at Broad River Pastures. His dam and sire are distant cousins from Gary Sumrall’s farm, entered into the registry via the Genetic Recovery Program of 2017. Together…