Happy Pigs Taste Better: A Complete Guide to Organic and Humane Pasture-Based Pork Production
What does it take to raise a happy pig? Armed with experience from running the largest organic hog operation in Maine, author Alice Percy is well equipped to answer this question.
Pigs are much closer to their cousin, the wild boar, than other domesticated animals. Ethically managing pigs requires an understanding of their natural mannerisms, including factors such as social grouping, mating, territory, housing, and, of course, their love of wallowing in the mud.
In Happy Pigs Taste Better Percy offers a comprehensive look at raising organic, pasture-fed, gourmet meat. She advises readers on pasturing and feeding hogs organically, as well as managing the breeding herd and administering effective natural healthcare. In addition, she provides an overview of marketing and distribution for those looking to turn their hog farming operation into a lucrative business.
This book is the first of its kind to offer an in-depth approach to organic, high-welfare commercial production, including information on:
– Designing a hog business from the ground up
– Housing pigs, including benefits and drawbacks of various housing systems
– Evaluating the nutritional content of common organic feedstuffs
– Butchering humanely and economically
– Recordkeeping, with templates for financial tracking
Whether you’re looking to convert a conventional operation to organic, grow your backyard hog operation into a viable business, or start from scratch, this comprehensive book has got you covered, nose to tail.
About the author:
For ten years Alice Percy operated a commercial hog operation on her farm in Whitefield, Maine, becoming the largest certified hog producer in the state. Percy has mentored hog farming startups through the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA), and helped to develop the association’s Raising Organic Pigs fact sheet. She has presented workshops on organic hog husbandry at MOFGA events and the annual NOFA Summer Conference. She served on the MOFGA board from 2011 to 2018, including two years as board chair. Percy currently works as the manager of the Organic Growers Supply division at Fedco Seeds.
“At Rodale Institute we believe we can humanely raise animals, out on pasture, in a way that supports both soil health and the farmer’s bottom line. Alice Percy’s Happy Pigs Taste Better is the book I wish I’d had when I first started raising pastured, organic pigs. It’s an excellent resource for getting started, or advancing and improving your operation.”
―Shelby Dukes, animal husbandry specialist, Rodale Institute
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Storey’s Guide to Raising Pigs, 4th Edition: Care, Facilities, Management, Breeds
Stressing the importance of sustainable and environmentally-friendly farming practices, farmer Kelly Klober provides expert advice on making any size hog operation more efficient and profitable in Storey’s Guide to Raising Pigs. The most comprehensive book available on the topic, this 4th edition features the most up-to-date practices, illustrated with colour photography. Both beginners and experienced farmers will find all the information they need to select, house, care for, breed, and butcher pigs, along with marketing advice.
Storey’s Guide to Raising Pigs, 3rd Edition: Care, Facilities, Management, Breeds
Learn how to successfully raise your own pigs. Stressing the importance of sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices, Kelly Klober provides expert tips on making your hog operation more efficient and profitable. Storey’s Guide to Raising Pigs will give beginners the confidence they need to succeed, while inspiring experienced farmers to try new techniques and experiment with new breeds.
| 1 An Introduction to Raising Hogs 2 Raising Hogs for the Family Table 3 Home Butchering and Pork Processing 4 Fitting and Showing Hogs 5 The Hog Business 6 Preparing for Your Breeding Herd 7 Selecting Breeding Stock 8 Managing Your Breeding Herd 9 Hog Health Care 0 Managing Your Hog Operation 11 Day-to-Day Life with Hogs Appendix A: Reproductive Information Appendix B: Resources Glossary Index |
About the author:
Kelly Klober was raised on a small, mixed-livestock farm in Missouri where he began a lifetime of experience with various livestock species. Klober notes that he’s been “kicked, bitten and/or stomped” by every major livestock species, and he has been active in poultry and livestock breed preservation for many years. He has written on agriculture, especially the small farm field, for decades, and has more than 35 years’ experience as a breeder of purebred Duroc swine. He is author of the books Dirt Hog, Talking Chicken, and Storey’s Guide to Raising Pigs and is a frequent contributor to Acres U.S.A. and other magazines. He has a forthcoming book on raising ducks, geese, and other fowl. He writes, speaks, and consults on many small-farm topics, including farmers’ markets, breed preservation, chicken health, and sustainable practices.
“Whether you are already raising pastured pigs or thinking about adding a new, profitable livestock venture to your farm or ranch, Kelly Klober’s straightforward, proven advice — built on decades of experience — will help you succeed.”
— Tara Maxwell, Managing Editor, Acres U.S.A.
“Kelly Klober does an excellent job of gathering into a single book all the practical information on raising pigs that beginning farmers need for success.”
— David Kline, Editor, Farming Magazine
Other
Small-Scale Pig Raising by Dirk van Loon
The Complete Guide to Raising Pigs Everything You Need to Know Explained Simply (Back-To-Basics) by Carlotta Cooper
Homegrown Pork: Humane, Healthful Techniques for Raising a Pig for Food by Sue Weaver
