Helen Browning Vlog – Pigs in an organic system
Helen Browning, Chief Executive of the Soil Association and farmer at Eastbrook Farm in North Wiltshire introduces the farming enterprise which includes their 200 saddleback sows.
- She talks about some of the benefits of this breed of pig and of an organic (outdoor based) pig system; this includes being able to wean them much later (they stay with their mums for at least 8 weeks), not having to cut their teeth or tails, and fitting within the rotation so they don’t come back to the same ground for 6 – 8 years means the disease or worm burden is very low.
- Helen focuses on pig feed and pig health, referring to a downside being having to currently rely too much on organic grains and protein crops, but a big upside is that the outdoor stress free life means that the the pigs have very few health problems and they have to use very little antibiotics.
Associated Agricology Partner Organisation(s):
The information contained above reflects the views of the author/s and does not necessarily reflect that of Agricology and its partners.
Author:
Published date:
19th December 2019Related farming theme:
Key Farming Practices:
- Healthy livestock housing & shelter
- Low input breeds
- Mixed farming
- Rotational grazing
Organisation(s):
- Soil Association
Related articles
Lindsay Whistance shares findings from an EU research project exploring sustainable livestock nutrition across 11 countries.
This abstract, produced as part of the OK-Net Ecofeed project, focuses on reducing nutrient inputs from concentrated feed for pigs by encouraging nutrient intake from...
How can pig producers meet the challenge of 100% organic feed? New resource looks at the potential of alternative feed sources.
Resource that looks at the potential of roughage and foraging to help pig producers meet the challenge of 100% organic feed.