We started farming in 2003 having owned our farm since 1996. Our interest in pigs started after we investigated eco friendly means of re-cultivating our land (thanks to John Seymour's book on Self-Sufficiency) which had been largely neglected for fifty years. The Tamworth Pig was ideally suited to this - they can plough up any field and fertilise it at the same time ! Currently we keep five bloodlines- Ranger and Jasper (M) and Rita, Ruby and Lucky Lass (F). All of our Tamworths live outside all year round in a mixture of pasture and woodland with shelter being provided by mobile pig arcs. The Tamworth Pig is also an endangered species and is monitored closely by the Rare Breed Survival Trust and the British Pig Association. Whilst we can never claim to "know it all" we are keen to promote the breed and will find out most things asked about Tamworths. We often find that for all things "Tamworth" it is best to refer to the Tamworth Breeders Club.

In addition to our Tamworth Pigs we have just ventured into Oxford Sandy and Black Pigs . The  Oxford Sandy & Black Pig sometimes referred to as the “Plum Pudding or Oxford Forest Pig” is one of the oldest British pig breeds, it has existed for 200-300 years. A traditional farmers and cottagers pig, of the middle part of the country, especially around Oxfordshire. It seems to be closely linked to the old Berkshire and Tamworth. Did it diverge from them? Or was it the result of crossbreeding between them? Or crossbreeding with an entirely different breed no-one is entirely sure.
The Oxford Sandy & Black or OSB has reached crisis point at least twice in it’s past when numbers dropped so low that extinction was a real possibility. Unfortunately it had no Society or herd book to look after it’s wellbeing. As long ago as the 1940’s boar licensing had dropped to one or two a year for OSB’s but for a few dedicated breeders the breed would surely have been lost. In 1973 the Rare Breeds Survival Trust was formed giving hope for the breed, but the Trust decided not to recognise the OSB. Once again the dedicated breeders were on their own. The decline continued to the brink of extinction when in 1985 the current Breed Society was formed following contact with all known breeders of the OSB by the Societies founder secretary Steven Kimmins ably supported and helped by Andrew J.Sheppy Chairman and Geoffrey Cloke President. The breed ows a great debt and it’s survival to them.
There were 29 herds listed in the first herd book with 15 Boars and 62 Sows. Sadly some of the bloodlines have been lost, but today’s dedicated and enthusiastic breeders are determined to save the remaining lines.
The current picture is very encouraging with the rarest bloodlines hanging on and slowly increasing. Hopefully the Breed is at last safe (although still relatively few in number) Recognition by, and transfer of herd book management to the BPA from the Oxford Sandy and Black Society has already brought the hoped for benefits of increased publicity and opportunity to compete in the shop window of BPA recognised shows.

Bloodlines:
Boars: Alexander, Alistair, Clarence, Jack
Sows: Alice, Alison, Clare, Clarissa, Cynthia, Dandy, Duchess, Elsie, Gertrude, Gloria,
Iris, Lady, Mary, Sarah & Sybil

The breed has many good qualities, particularly it’s excellent temperament and mothering abilities. Prolific and hardy it is particularly suited to outdoor systems, being good foragers and as they are a coloured pig with a good coat they are far less prone to sunburn.
The ground colour should be a light sandy to rust with random black blotches (not spots) with a white blaze, feet and tassel.
A medium to large pig with good length and a deep body, good quarters and fine shoulders, strong legs and feet and well set on, giving a free and active gait.
A moderately strong head, straight or slightly dished with lop or semi lop ears.
Producer’s of fine quality white skinned pork and bacon with superb flavour – will finish to pork weight in 22 weeks.

The OSB's are an ideal compliment to our Tamworth Pigs; they too are ideally suited to the outdoor life. We bought them firstly to help preserve them (they are the rarest of the British Pig Breeds) and also because of their docile temperaments - making them ideal where young children are around (although of course there must be adult supervision). Together with the pigs we keep a small flock of Soay sheep, a primitive sheep breed originally from the island of Soay part of the St.Kilda group of islands off the Scottish coast. Keeping the Soays company is a four-horned Jacob ram called Dinjo (who can't bear to eat sheep pellets off the ground and is hand fed - but on the plus side he is brilliant with children) and six Saanen-cross goats. Providing the family with eggs are a collection of geese, ducks and chickens.
 

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Last modified: 20-Nov-2008

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