[hughesy]

I don't see the point of having a forum if nobody is allowed to disagree with anything. People post their opinions, and we all have different ones. The issues that have been raised here are very relevant to a lot of people. I reckon that if you post stuff on a public forum you should be ready to hear opinions even if they are not what you wanted to hear. I think that this forum has a bit too much hugs and kisses sometimes and not enough telling it like it is.

[Dan]

I don't see the point of having a forum if nobody is allowed to disagree with anything. People post their opinions, and we all have different ones. The issues that have been raised here are very relevant to a lot of people. I think that this forum has a bit too much hugs and kisses sometimes and not enough telling it like it is.

  I don't see anyone's opinion being pulled in this thread, just a reminder to be polite and civil.

"Telling it like it is" based on a post on a public forum is usually at best "telling it like you think it is" - and based on multiple assumptions. And as Samuel L Jackson once memorably said, "Do not make an assumption, cause when you make an assumption, you make an ass outta you and umption."

If you disagree with someone's opinion or actions that can be expressed without personal attack or abuse. Some earlier context from Jackie might have helped to understand the differences here, but she chose not to volunteer that information.

I reckon that if you post stuff on a public forum you should be ready to hear opinions even if they are not what you wanted to hear.

Absolutely, that's the rub, but you still have the right to expect a bit of civility and care to be taken over those responses.

[deepinthewoods]

yeah, what he said. innit.

[Hassle]

Please, thank you, kind regards... ok that's the civility out the way. 

Jackie I'm sorry if you didn't like my opinion, i'm not really internet brave, i actually tend to delete 90% of my posts prior to hitting return. I would actually tell you to the face the same as I type, it's not because I don't respect you or because I think you should behave in a certain way, it's actually because like you I have an opinion. The problem with English is it can be read in so many ways with different tines and highlights. But posting anything on a forum will mean questions being raised unless you only post smiles.

I hear you about Lincolnshire being poor, I live there, I see it all over the county. But I feel you shouldn't sell yourself short.  Ok you have freezers full of stuff that you have grown ... don't worry you aren't the only one I have too.  Personally I think this site is only half utilised we should be working together, getting the best price for items, selling stuff for the best price after all we have the numbers on small holders we should be able to tie up the market

This group should also be able to offer support/ comfort /ideas when things aren't going right ... ok not all will be seen as good ideas but you should be able to pick and choose.

How internet savvy are you, what about doing a web page selling your meat, and then over nighting it by post with people making monthly payments prior to delivery, I'm not saying it's going to suddenly take off; but it does work

Anyway good luck and please don't pay to be a charity because I'm sure the forum wants you to be expressing your opinion in another 5 10 or 20 more years at least 

[honeyend]

I come South Yorkshire and there is a long tradition of cheap food and the culture of  three jobs. I have lived in East Anglia for nearly 30 years and still find it hard to work out why nobody seeems to want the mucky jobs in life and money is a dirty word.
 Last week I visited Southall market where there was an abundance of artisan food and did some market research for pig pricing. Do not if they were selling much but they were there.
 Having run a very small business myself its hard to maintain your enthusiasm when there is only you doing all the thinking ,doing and planning. I live in an area where are lots of food producers small and large but apart from the very big boys there seems to be no local network to swop produce and ideas, even such a basic thing as a face book page. Perhaps after a day spent outside all you want to do is slump in front of a telly, but one local farmer sells his hay, cattle and pork from the local horsefacebook page, free advertising.
 I think the meat packs are brillant ideas, also flavoured sausages as you are selling your cheaper cuts of meat at premium price.I do also think that people have forgotten how to cook the more unusual cuts of meat so perhaps paying the butcher to prepare users friendly joints in a pack may make them easier to sell.
 Perhaps we need a thread started with sales ideas.
 

[Jackie 2]

Thank you Dan 

[fifixx]

To bring you all back to topic with a gasp....£210 per half were my last pigs.  Large Blacks so biggish but around 30kg plus sausages of meat in each half.  I am registered organic so the feed cost is horrendous, but I found people were happy to pay the premium having seen the pigs and knowing that organic = higher costs of production.

I still only covered my costs - feed, vet (vaccination for erysipilis), bedding, cost of 6 weaners and collection (£50 each from Devon), butchery and slaughter plus about £25 profit per half.

This year I may just do 4, depending on the mud situation....

[Jackie 2]

Im impressed its a good price Yeah organic is more expensive.
Did you have to be inspected to sell the sausages? I make sausages for my own family but am a little wary of selling them.


OMG hasnt the mud been awful?? Ive had to make new pig runs as each gets too muddy for the pigs, the ground is like mud soup in most places here,

[Daisys Mum]

I charge £180 for a half , I pay £50 per weaner at 8 weeks and it costs me £90 + to feed them, butchering is 93 pence per kilo  £19 to kill and £12 transport  so I think £180 is a fair price. My customers are all repeat and are happy to pay for quality pork. BUT I am lucky they are all relatively well off a couple of them are farmers.
If I couldn't cover my costs I wouldn't do it. I had a friend lived in your area for a while Jackie so I understand your problem selling at a higher price.
I must add that at £180 I don't make a profit. 

[john and helen]

I can only speak as a customer at the moment, early last year i was lucky enough to do a job on a small holding, installing a new safety vinyl floor in a preparation room.. we came to an agreement that a days labour at £150 would be worth half a pig

so we went down this road, and i have got to say...it was worth every penny..i had never ever tasted Pork like this..in fact H and myself, must of made noises of shere content at each mouthful :lol:

I think if you can get what you would expect to get , then thats fantastic, the smallholding i worked at supplied a very good local restaurant which also advertised on their website where they got their pork from... this then worked in two ways

[deepinthewoods]

£150 for a days labour??? id have given u 50. 

[john and helen]

Come on DIW  you know £50 would get your flooring cut a little short around the edges  and stuck down with chewing gum  and why am i using all these smilies  

[Klb]

These half pigs selling at 120-160, can I be nosey and ask the rough weight in kg? Thank you.

[Liam_86]

My parents own a pub In yorkshire and buy pigs from local breeders. Their customer have become used to Local rare breed pork on the menu. I asked the chef and he said he has paid anywhere between 160 and 220 for a half in the past 6 months.

Now i have my own pigs (first time) and they are in the field across the road from the pub, they will def be buying from me!

I also plan to make things like salami, dried hams to sell them.

Good luck to everyone selling their pork.....But Jackie..Our chef wants your phone number. Im sure he could shift some for you. good luck with the 5 freezers full

[Jackie 2]

I wish, really wish I could sell for the prices quoted


Thanks Liam will message you