Breed them or eat them?

In the last couple months, four litters of red wattles were born here at Wickham Farm. In many ways, young piglets are like most other youngsters. They have an insatiable appetite and want nothing more than to eat (nurse), sleep and play. Over time, this can cause the sow to become wore down and loose body condition. To keep mama from getting too wore down, the piglets are weaned (separated) from their mother at around six to eight weeks of age. At this point, they are eating solid foods well and are more than able to make it on their own. They quickly adjust to their new life and grow very quickly. At this stage they are referred to as weaners and can gain nearly a pound of weight a day.

There are a couple of nice looking gilts (young females), one very nice boar (sexually intact male), and several barrows (castrated males) in the group. Most of these piglets will be raised to become hams, bacon, roasts and other tasty cuts of pork. Red wattle pigs are very rare animals with less than 2,000 of them known to exist worldwide. They are listed as critically endangered by the American Livestock Breed Conservancy. Because of this, you would think that every piglet would be saved to increase the breed's numbers. Frankly speaking, this just isn't practical. Most farmers, us included, can't afford to raise livestock without a market for them. As much as we enjoy them, they aren't pets. That's why we sell red wattle sausage, bacon, ham and other cuts of pork. For the long-term benefit of the breed, we follow the "breed the best and eat the rest" maxim of livestock breeding. Fortunately, pasture raised red wattle is some of the best tasting pork in the world. Once you've tried it, you'll never want grocery store pork again!

There are a couple very nice looking breeding quality piglets in the bunch. If you are looking for a nice red wattle piglet for breeding or just one or two to raise your own pork, drop us an email. We probably have just what you are looking for. Or see us this summer at the Clinton, Iowa farmers market and buy your pork by the package. Either way, your purchase will not only help to support our small farm, you'll also be helping to preserve a rare livestock breed.

My other job

I don't talk much on this blog about my life off the farm. Believe it or not, I do get off the farm.When I'm not busy feeding hogs or pasturing poultry, I am employed as the Executive Director of the Clinton County Conservation Board. I've been with Clinton County for over 27 years, serving first as a Park Ranger and for the last 8 years as the department director. I manage 11 employees, 4 campgrounds and over 2,000 of public lands. Most days, I really love my job. Yesterday qualified as one of my best days at work.

Our latest under taking is the construction of a park visitor/nature center called the Mississippi River Eco Tourism Center. Yesterday, we had an 8,000 gallon aquarium delivered to the new facility. It is huge! 18 feet long, 10 feet wide and 6 feet deep. The aquarium arrived by semi from a custom manufacturer in California and was skillfully placed in the building by a local crane service. Here's a news story from a local TV channel.

Eco Tourism Center In Camanche

Yes, that's me in the video.