[Tullywood Farm]

 
Hello Folks,

I just want to say, that I am not a Hobby Farmer - both of us have only one income, and that is our smallholding, so we like to do things as best we can.

We do not overcharge for our Weaner's, and we usually always charge around 80 euros.

Occasionally, if we are importing a new bloodline from abroad, we may ask for more, in order to cover the costs of getting them here, to share the input of new blood so to say, anyhow, we could not import pigs we wanted in September last year, because of restrictions at the time, as it was going to cost us too much to quarantine the animals.

I just want you to know, as this could be very important to you, that,
if you buy Rare Breed Pigs, and pay for the Pedigree from the Breeder, you will be given a number by the BPA (British Pig Association)  usually something like 91838, and this will have your name, but no other details (usually) against the pig purchased.

To keep this pig on the Herd Book, and register births against it, you must join the BPA.
Now I know this costs money, and I know a lot of you are only buying to eat yourself, so really you do not need the pedigree papers at all.
BUT:- Are you aware that in January next, if you have not become a member of the BPA, there is a very strong possibility that your pigs will be wiped off the database of the BPA as DEAD.

I found this out when one of our customers did not join, after paying for pedigree papers for Tamworth Weaner's that they bought from us for 80 euro's each.

We did manage to get the pigs reinstated for our customer, and since, the customer has now joined the BPA, so that he/she can register births in the future.

The BPA's reason for deleting (possibly your) pigs from the herd book, is that if you do not become a member, they do not know from the Herd Book Forms they send out to members every year, whether or not the pig is still alive, and they cannot afford to be ringing people all over Europe for information.

Therefore the ball is in your court if you do not want your Pedigree Pigs deleting off the listing at the BPA - become a member.

I hope this might help a few of you pig lovers out there - some of you might not want to spend the money joining, but in the future it may benefit you, when you come to selling any piglets on as Pedigree.

Julie

[Hilarysmum]

Thats my complaint against the BPA - if they allowed non members to register their pigs, albeit at a higher price - then the registers would show a more accurate total of rare breeds, and it may even help to reduce the loss of some rare bloodlines.

[sausagesandcash]

We do not overcharge for our Weaner's, and we usually always charge around 80 euros............................
one of our customers did not join, after paying for pedigree papers for Tamworth Weaner's that they bought from us for 80 euro's each.

To quote Shakespeare "The lady doth protest too much, methinks".
However, it's great to see that buying rare breeds is no longer cost prohibitive in parts of Ireland.

Occasionally, if we are importing a new bloodline from abroad, we may ask for more, in order to cover the costs of getting them here, to share the input of new blood so to say

The Glen boar you wanted €150 for came from Nenagh in Co. Tipperary, so unless the border with Northern Ireland has moved, and no-one told me, or anyone else for that matter, I can't see the logic of that comment. You are, after all, owner DXJ on the B.P.A website, CNJ being the breeder of the Glen.

we could not import pigs we wanted in September last year, because of restrictions at the time, as it was going to cost us too much to quarantine the animals

Mmmm, I thought that the only restrictions in place were as a result of the contaminated pig feed, " All farms receiving feedstuffs from this source were identified by DAFF and placed under restriction. Restrictions had been placed on all affected farms, prohibiting the movement of animals".
There was no prohibition on the importation of animals into the Irish State, as long as they were not from a contaminated herd, and had their EC Intra trade certificate, which guarantees that they are healthy and disease free.

[Tullywood Farm]

Morgan
Youve done it again - assumed that is - We bought those pigs in Nenagh to keep in our herd - not to sell on.  The ones we were buying from abroad were a sow and her litter, and we would have had excess animals - but the purchase did not come off.

Check the BPA - Both Boars are still in our herd.

Yes - we do pay our membership to the BPA and anyone is entitled to look at our stock on there - DJX is our code.  Yours is a number I believe

Now go and pick on someone else as we are simply not interested in speaking to you

Good Luck and all the very best
Tullywood

[ukag0972]

Back to the original post....

The BPA did that to one of my customers. I registered the piglets and transfered them online to her. She was unsure whether to breed or not and before she could join the BPA, they killed off her piglets. They did reinstate them after I phoned but the reason given was that when the census went out those not in the BPA were not sent out forms so those who hadn't joined had their pigs killed off.

It makes you wonder how many pigs there really is??

[Hilarysmum]

Far far more than are listed on the site.  Many quality pigs go unregistered because of BPA membership.  Its a totally unrealistic listing.

[sausagesandcash]

we do live in a dictatorship world

At least we still have the right to free speach 

Yes - we do pay our membership to the BPA and anyone is entitled to look at our stock on there - DJX is our code.  Yours is a number I believe 

A number you say, a number....oh my God the shame !!

[sabrina]

I bought my two large blacks girls from a lady near Mintlaw at £50 each, would have been £60 with the papers but as they are going in the freezer I did not bother. My choice. I went to see the place and how things were run, what food they got and were they happy and well looked after. This was very important to us. all her pigs were in paddocks outside, looked very healthy and doing what pigs do best. Digging.I chose to feed my girls Dobson and Horrel pig food but I know people who just feed barley to put weight on fast and its cheaper. They are giving me endless pleasure and it will be hard to see them go. I could have bought weaners local at £35 each. Mothers not wormed or fed a good diet. Having bred Shetland Ponies I know how much it cost to do a job right not counting the hours you put in. I felt that the person who sold me our girls gave us loads of time and advice and keeps in touch to see how we are getting on with them. That to me is a caring breeder who wants the best for her animals. She supplys the local butcher and her pork is the best around.

[gavo]

hey ho  a very well put description of a good breeder sounds like a highly reputable source of stock. as for pedigree registration and joining the bpa i have found that most people who decide to breed tend to join as their pig is ready to farrow [saves a years membership when you have nothing to notify or register] .if said pig is found to dead on bpa register it is a simple matter to have them reinstated. there has to be a means of verifying a pigs history and maintain breed standards at the mo thats the bpa love it or loathe it[otherwise all sorts of substandard pigs could be sold as pedigree breeding stock ] as i am sure most breeders know that it is highly unlikely that all the pigs they breed will meet breed standards they must surely end up in the food chain or as rather large pets. personally i would be rather worried if a breeder never felt that stock they bred was unsuitable for breeding quality offspring[unless the pig is going to just breed butchers pigs] .but even butchers require a good carcase which generally requires good quality stock in the first place. 

cheers

[Tullywood Farm]

Hello Sabrina,

Thank you for very relative input into this thread.

We have a friend who has been into rare breed pig breeding for 30 years, and tried to assess the cost of rearing a piglet for sale as a weaner.

This included looking after the sow, feeding her, checking her twice a day minimum to feed and water her, walking through fields in pouring rain for months to carry out this passion for pigs, bedding for her when farrowing if in winter, red lamp costs for over the piglets, diesel for driving to collect pig feed, and the cost of pig feed, and also worming the sow.
It was decided that he would dedicate his time to look after the animals free as this is a passion, not a liveliehood, a full time job provided income. 
Therefore no amount was included for all the time and hard work.

The figure produced was One Pound Sterling per day of the life of the pig.
This meant that a 7 week old weaner would be 70 sterling
A 10 week old pig would be 100 sterling
And so on.  Bearing in mind this is cost without time or profit.

Now I live in Eire, and we are in Euro's and this complicates things a little.  The Sterling rate changes all the time.

Plus

Pig food in the North of Ireland averages about six pounds sterling.
Pig food in the South if Ireland costs 8.95 euro for Lakelands own, to 12.30 euro for Connolly Redmills.

My point being that breeding rare breed pigs in Eire is more costly than in Northern Ireland, and it is not rocket science to see that, you will not become a millionaire, selling weaners at 80 euros.  Infact, you are not making anything at all.  If you want to become rich, do not get into Rare Breed Pigs - if you want to save the breed, probably at a loss, welcome to the real world.

I thank you for your input here, you obviously have lots of experience as a breeder and as a buyer, and it is nice to hear from someone who does appreciate all the hard work that goes into breeding.

Good luck with your pigs and keep up the good responses.

kind regards
Julie

[gavo]

hey pig food in the north costs on average 7.50 a bag not to split hairs or anything ! you will probably find that most types of farmers struggle to make a living these days be they large or small not just rare breeders! welcome to everyones reality.

ps its not just farmers struggling in this present climate.

[Tullywood Farm]

hey pig food in the north costs on average 7.50 a bag not to split hairs or anything ! you will probably find that most types of farmers struggle to make a living these days be they large or small not just rare breeders! welcome to everyones reality.

ps its not just farmers struggling in this present climate.

Hiya Gavin

OOPS! - The prices do vary and increase all the time - the last time we bought in the north was a while ago to be honest - thanks for the correction and love to all

Julie

[gavo]

You are very welcome. we pride ourselves on being helpful informative breeders. Always glad to lend a hand in the wonderful world of rare breeds,whenever help is needed.


Regards,
Your friendly neighbourhood pig breeder

[sabrina]

I was paying £9.10 per bag. I asked if it would be cheaper buying in bulk and got a not really so came home and went to the lady down the road who I buy the pony food from. she knocked 30p of a bag as I ordered 14. Next time we have pigs i will order all from her.

[Tullywood Farm]

Hi Sabrina,

Yes - you do have to shop around, we bought food this morning from a supplier we haven't used for a couple of months - he had missed our regular order and asked where we had been. 
Told him he was too expensive at the moment plus we have to drive 30 miles to get it
- got 35 cents a bag reduction.  Doesn't sound a lot, but every little helps

Bearing in mind we often need 20 bags, its a good saving, but never good enough when they are increasing it far too often.

Julie