The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Livestock => Pigs => Topic started by: JulieS on March 10, 2012, 08:10:53 am

Title: Market
Post by: JulieS on March 10, 2012, 08:10:53 am
I'm a little apprehensive. 

I've never taken any of my pigs to market before, but today I'm taking 3 finished boars to Holsworthy.

Not sure what to expect, and not feeling very good about it at the moment.

Wish me luck.
Title: Re: Market
Post by: TheGirlsMum on March 10, 2012, 09:01:34 am
Hope it goes ok Julie
Title: Re: Market
Post by: HappyHippy on March 10, 2012, 09:21:15 am
Good luck mrs  :thumbsup:
I took some Large Black cross weaners last Autumn (not the best of timing  :-\) and brought them back home again after the bids only went to £5  :o
I'm sure your boys will do well though  ;)
Title: Re: Market
Post by: JulieS on March 10, 2012, 01:20:52 pm
Thank you both  :)

I'm back........Not something I will do again though.

My boys followed me out of the trailer into the pen and I strawed them up and made them comfy. 

They seemed to take in all in and were very laid back......I wasn't though!!  I didn't hang around to find out how much they went for, will give the office a call on Monday.  I'm definitely not a 'proper farmer'!!! 





Title: Re: Market
Post by: Rosemary on March 10, 2012, 03:35:21 pm
Hope you got a decent price for them  :pig: :pig: :pig:
Title: Re: Market
Post by: JulieS on March 10, 2012, 03:38:05 pm
Thank you Rosemary  :)
Title: Re: Market
Post by: Polished Arrow on March 21, 2012, 10:39:48 pm
I'd be interested to hear what you got for them...
Title: Re: Market
Post by: JulieS on March 22, 2012, 11:37:08 am
Not a good price at all  (so bad that I'd rather not put the price on here, pm me if you'd like to know).........And I am left feeling very guilty for taking them.

Wish I'd bought another freezer for them.  Won't be going to market again.   :( :( :(
Title: Re: Market
Post by: Sudanpan on March 22, 2012, 01:35:01 pm
What a bummer   >:( Very sorry that you had to go through that experience.
 :bouquet:
Title: Re: Market
Post by: JulieS on March 22, 2012, 02:26:23 pm
Thank you Sudanpan. 

Title: Re: Market
Post by: TheGirlsMum on March 22, 2012, 02:29:27 pm
Really sorry Julie.
 Our weaners are ready to be picked up at the weekend so getting excited but also very nervous.
Title: Re: Market
Post by: JulieS on March 22, 2012, 02:34:15 pm
Good luck TheGirlsMum.....I'm sure it will all go well.

I've got some weaners going off today and at the weekend.  Mostly to new keepers, so I'm excited for them........Always very sorry to see my piglets going though (I'm such a soft touch!!!))

 :love: :pig: :love:
Title: Re: Market
Post by: Hillhead on March 22, 2012, 04:02:05 pm
Afternoon

We sold pigs at the same market at Holsworthy and the prices on the whole were diabolical.  The only thing we did was cover the cost of the Diesel to get there.  Prices were bad last year when we went but I hoped they would have improved but sadly no.  Truro market a few weeks ago was even worse!!

Begins to make you seriously think if it is worth keeping pigs anymore >:( ??? :'(
Title: Re: Market
Post by: robert waddell on March 22, 2012, 04:33:05 pm
first you have to be there or the mart just lets them go  you can always take them back home
pigs are not in demand at an auction there is still a glut
unlike sheep and cattle  it was not that long ago that sheep were not worth the diesel to take them to market either :farmer:
Title: Re: Market
Post by: Polished Arrow on March 22, 2012, 11:40:38 pm
Thanks, and its okay - you can retain your modesty!  If the price was sufficiently low to make you feel it wasn't worth it, that says it all doesn't it?

I have been looking for a Rare Breed Meat Coop or the like, buying from small farmers but selling to the wider (top end) market, but haven't found one, which surprised me.  Anyone know of such a thing?
Title: Re: Market
Post by: princesspiggy on March 23, 2012, 04:54:35 am

I have been looking for a Rare Breed Meat Coop or the like, buying from small farmers but selling to the wider (top end) market, but haven't found one, which surprised me.  Anyone know of such a thing?

have you tried the Meat Marketing scheme with the RBST? they buy finishers and weaners etc, but unfortunately dont operate where we are in scotland. there is one in wooler and others around england.

Title: Re: Market
Post by: Sylvia on March 23, 2012, 06:55:58 am
If you're buying then markets are the thing. If you're selling they're not :( If you have enough land, better to rear them and tout around restaurants/hotels some of which will buy the whole carcasse as it comes from the abbatoir. I have an outlet now for my Kune pork by doing this. Free range, local, rare or minority breed is the thing these days(as it should be!!)
The restaurant that buys mine is proud to advertise it a" happy pork"  They give details of rearing and how they are taken gently and carefully to slaughter.
Title: Re: Market
Post by: Fowgill Farm on March 23, 2012, 09:19:17 am

I have been looking for a Rare Breed Meat Coop or the like, buying from small farmers but selling to the wider (top end) market, but haven't found one, which surprised me.  Anyone know of such a thing?

have you tried the Meat Marketing scheme with the RBST? they buy finishers and weaners etc, but unfortunately dont operate where we are in scotland. there is one in wooler and others around england.

Not sure this exists anymore, thought it was handed over to TBMM (Traditional Breeds Meat Marketing) though i understand they have been having some problems recently. Worth a google for info.
Mandy  :pig:
Title: Re: Market
Post by: robert waddell on March 23, 2012, 10:06:51 am
there is word that the BPA are intending to run such a scheme but really cant see it working as different owners feed differently and expect different standards to much details and comparisons to write here
the best solution is get off your arse get out there and promote your own pork as said already to restaurants hotels and such like but remember they have been buying the commercial pigs so price does matter to them  :farmer:
Title: Re: Market
Post by: sabrina on March 25, 2012, 12:07:53 pm
If people could taste real home grown pork they would never buy the cheap imports again. The difference is so great. I am sure butchers get asked for local meat all the time and would welcome a supply. yes it cost more but so does any good meat. Buy cheap, buy tasteless.