We sold our last whole hogs to community members last February 2019. After losing our breeding boar to a combination of cold weather and strep and topping off at 16 pigs at our highest count, we decided on no more breeding of our ol' Spots. I'm surprised at the weekly calls or contacts I still get through this site from folks looking for feeders or breeding stock and I have to say, I miss having piglets around. I especially missed them this fall when we couldn't throw them pumpkins and acorns. However, I don't miss hauling them to slaughter, luring them on to the trailer or organizing cut sheets for customers. I loved farrowing the piglets and learning what it takes to keep them alive, fat and healthy and good producers of high-quality pork. It was hard when we realized our largest sow didn't hear well. When she laid down to nurse, it was survival of the fittest. Try moving a 900lb mama sow settling in to nurse the other 10, to grab a sreaming, suffocating, trapped 3 lb piglet, until the screams fade and you realize you're too late. There were lots of trials and tribulations and I'm not sure there's a day that goes by that I don't thank the powers that be for my family and who we've become together, the couple that Sam and I are together, the little people my children are becoming- kind, respectful, hard-working, down to earth, sensitive souls. I count my blessings.
So what now? Well, Maddie (ok and maybe mom too) and her interest in riding horses and the barn are leading the way. The rooting of the pigs was creating a lot of erosion, killing our root systems. So now we are cleaning up, overseeding, focusing on pasture management and making this a good little 6 acres to house chickens and ponies. The eggs- when we have them still sell like hotcakes at the gym. Genevieve continues with her small little plot of veggies. We will continue to evolve and enjoy all that this little spot, in the middle of it all has to offer! And maybe, when one little equestrian is off to another sport, or another real barn or college, we'll see those little spots running through the woods again.
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AuthorCatherine Moy Archives
October 2020
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