[SamSam]

Hi All. We have just bought four acres of meadow land and would ideally like to put weaner pigs on this.  In order to do the financials we need to know how many in reality will it accommodate taking into account resting etc.  The land is old and has just had hay taken from it for the last 10 years. It is on the side of a hill, albeit not overly steep, and at the bottom is a river so would we need to keep clear an area alongside the bank? We are fencing contractors by trade so this will hopefully help us as I believe this is an ongoing job. All advice/experience is welcome along with harsh facts as we are new to this!

[Nethermoor Pigs]

You probably know, but the land will no longer be meadow land after pigs!  If you want to preserve it, pigs, whatever breed, will wreck it.  I wouldn't be able to give a figure on amount of pigs, but whatever you do, don't overstock as it is a recipe for problems.  If they are all going to the butcher at the same time remember how much meat you will get - unless you have a very good market or 5 empty freezers.

[Marches Farmer]

Take a look at the Gloucestershire Old Spots Pig Breeders Club webiste for lots of info on pig keeping. 

[SamSam]

Thanks for the advice re the land - we are comfortable with it not retaining its 'meadow like quality' we just want to be cautious as you suggest not to overstock it and have a longer term view.

[Fowgill Farm]

A lot depends where you are in the country and the type of soil you have, being sloped there will be good drainage at least and it depends if you see your pig keeping as a venture to fill your freezer & maybe a friend or neighbours or you're thinking of it as a business venture.
As MF said theres lots of info on the GOS website www.gospbc.co.uk under the pig management tab, also Liz Shankland has produced a Haynes manual for pig keepers and I would suggest you do some serious research and reading, now is a good time to start with pigs and take them to the butchers in autumn, that way you can see if pig keeping is for you and then come winter if you decide its not you'll have lost nothing other than some of your hay crop. Our biggest paddock is approx. 30mtrs square more than adequate to raise several weaners to butcher weight. So you needn't lose your hay crop or your meadow.
My other advice would be to go on a pig course (try oaklands pigs) or visit pig keepers nearby to get an idea of whats involved. I'm in North Yorkshire and you're more than welcome to visit for a chat and neb.
hth
mandy

[oaklandspigs]

Mandy - thanks for the plug, yes we do courses and a book  see our site www.oaklandspigs.co.uk

In terms of financials, the question is not so much how many pigs you can keep in 4 acres (and it is a lot!), but what you will do with them.

Unfortunately nowadays selling finished pigs to a third party (market, abattoir, butcher)  you will almost certainly make a loss ie you will spend more money feeding and keeping than you'll get for selling either piglets or finished pigs.

Selling pork to family and friends - you should be able to sell half a pig and get the other half for yourself free !
But how much pork can you sell to family and friends.

Selling pork to public - lots of time and regulation involved.

So I'd start the other way round - how many pigs can I sell?  Then consider subdividing to have areas you work and areas you rest.

oh and yes, keep clear of the river - pigs swim very well ! and you'll want to avoid them fouling it.