[Beewyched]

mangas were a fashion craze for a while  until they discovered how long you had to keep them that is why the price drop   just the same as kunnies   they used to be £150  and look at how many are free on here does not matter what breed the breeder will tell you they are the best  until you have them on the butchers block

Hey Robert - back off the KKs!     I'll agree with you about the breeders though - each to their own, diversity rules 

[Sylvia]

As with any breed of any animal if they become popular too many people jump on the band-wagon, there are suddenly too many, people who bought them on a whim find them too much work, the market is saturated and prices drop. When I first looked at alpaca (about eight years ago) the price was £2-3,000 an animal. Now I find them begging for good homes

[horsemadmummy]

Thank you to everyone who has contributed I never thought pigs would be so controversial! We will run two herds a tamworth ( if we can get right stock) and the mangalitzas.  I dont want to offend anyone so I will apologise if what I am about to post does.

It is my belief as with my lamb that slow reared tastes better my lambs take longer to do but I get a higher price.  It does not bother me if my pigs take longer either however some of the people who offered opinions didn't get my business. Mangas are renowned for Palma ham and salamis which carry a premium price as we offer a speciality meat offering they fit perfectly.  I would prefer that an animal takes longer and isn't force fed cereals however long that takes.  As long as you are making the right return I can't see anyone's problem. We don't generally do weaners - never have I'd rather know what happens to them bit like my children I chose to have them so I should be responsible for them till their deaths.  Our ewes are Shetlands which are put to terminal tups and there is a good reason for this - I am a woman and not a big one!  I'm the farmer and I can turn 50 -60 kg easily.  The GOS while lovely are huge my last sow was about 200kg tamworths and manga are more my size!  I believe there are many people out there who want good quality meats are reasonable prices per kg that has been naturally reared and has good provenance we have sold 39 lambs so far this year to the table from a start of 4 last year.  We did 13 GOS last year which aren't the quickest to finish so I see no reason why tamworths and manga won't be equally as successful.

[robert waddell]

i think you are in for a shock with the size of both mangas and tammies    both will be over 200kilos when not fully mature                yes manga cooked ham is good  it could be an aphrodisiac
the pigs just might bother you with the feeding that they require even slow growing ones     pigs require protein   or they take even longer to get to a suitable finished weight where you are or could make a return
the quickest return you are likely to get is in two years time that is if you started yesterday   and everything going to plan
good luck you will need it and notice how i have not mentioned kunnies that is because i am saving that can of worms  for another thread
unlike you we are finding fast maturing pork is better  and have tried the slow maturing route as well
in the end it is customer feed back that is important and if they come back buying more than a packet of sausages

[Tamsaddle]

If perchance you can't find the Tamworth stock you are looking for more locally, do consider mine.  Hampshire isn't next door, but I regularly go as far as Bridport to visit a sister in under 2 hours, so could easily deliver to you down Exeter way.   Available:  2 stunning, 4 month old, Tamworth gilts, Melody/Royal Standard bloodline, both registered.   7 birth notified weaners as from 1 August born 1 June, 4 boys, 3 girls, Ruby/Glen bloodlines.   Tamsaddle

[horsemadmummy]

GOS didn't shock me nothing I have tried thus far has!  I come from lumberjack stock have raised 5 kids been divorced and survived being a battered wife- did I mention drug addicted brother a an alcoholic father?  Why would any pig shock me?

FYI I already have a waiting list for my pork having done GOS and it's for more than sausages.  I only sell sausages to my customers who have half a pig or more.  I average 190 a pig for pork more for sausages and bacon.

[Sbom]

Good luck with whichever breed you decide on, sounds like you got it all sorted 
You know yourself your capabilitys and the market you are aiming for and that's all that matters.
I've not been a member of this forum for long and have noticed that there are some people who have very strong opinions that can come across as either very patronising or just plain rude! HOWEVER..... I'm sure that they all mean well and are just trying to be informative and helpful 

[robert waddell]

i am tempted to come back into this but i feel it would be a waste of time as the impression i get is that the originator could advise others
 i think i will add a statement at the bottom of my future posts but that would cause offence as well cant do right for doing wrong

[rispainfarm]

Good on you horsemadmummy! I agree with what you say and think there is a tendancy on here with some people  to think that any thinking away from the norm or what they think is right is just batty and you need your head examing.

[rispainfarm]

On another note to do with a post sylvia put. I agree often the market is saturated, but, and I am sticking my neck out here. One of the problems from my experience is that people go into pigs and sell the weaners with no name and  no reputation and they don't do their research.  They are unwilling to take things slowly and build up their reputation for excellent stock not just good stock, but excellent and do the best job they can by choosing the best breeding stock and being meticulous in selecting only the best piglets for breeding. They think it will be so easy to sell the weaners and end up selling them for around 25 quid becuase they are having to get rid of them in anyway they can,  because they haven't got the contacts, the reputation and half the time they don't know a bad pig from a good pig and end up selling breeding stock with uneven underlines etc.  It takes hard work and time to earn a reputation and in that time surely it is more sensible to say sell one litter a year, but a good litter,   than buy any old crap and start breeding willie nillie and sell cheaply to whoever and whatever . Just my opinion. i hate showing but I think it is an excellent way of judging how you are doing in breeding pigs and would go to a showing person who wins consistanly then go down the road to joe blogs anyday if I was after breeding stock. Anyone can breed a pig but it takes a knowledgeable person to breed a good one.

[robert waddell]

i find myself agreeing with you lynda on your last post
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

[rispainfarm]

omg robert, what an honour hang on while I pick myself up from the floor!

[robert waddell]

well reply number 54 is your writing i am just agreeing with it    therefore any backlash and it is you that said it and  you will get it in the neck   makes a change from everybody rounding on me for stating the obvious   

[rispainfarm]

lol robert, i don't see how they can as i suspect lots of breeders think that, but correct me if I am wrong everyone

[Beewyched]

Ok folks - I've just noticed the replies are numbered 
I thought for one minute Robert had TOTALLY lost it