Berkshire breed page
One of the best ‘starter breeds’ around for the domestic keeper
The Berkshire breed also known as the ‘Lady’s pig’ is an excellent ‘starter pig.’
The Berkshire takes some beating offering, as it does, great personality, friendly disposition, manageable size and some of the tastiest meat around.
The breed is also one of our oldest, with some suggesting that records of its existence stretch right back to mid 17th Century.
Read on to learn more about keeping this breed, the BPA's conservation efforts and much more!
Conservation Targets
All 7 boar lines have been genebanked which was the first target on the conservation plan
All Berkshire sow lines are present in at least 5 herds which was another target
We still need help to collect 3 more boars for the genebank and to spread the different bloodlines across the country - important to protect the breed from disease risk like African Swine Fever
Buyers Guide
If you’re thinking about buying your first pigs, then the Berkshire could be just about the ideal breed to choose. As a ‘starter pig’ it certainly takes some beating.
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Me and my pigs
Chris Graham meets partners Julie Johnson and Chris Hudson, to discover more about their Berkshires and the thriving business they've built around them
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Conservation
The purpose of the conservation plan is to set out the goals for conserving our native breeds for the next year. The conservation service has successfully increased the number of Lassiter boars and now all boar lines are represented in the Genebank
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Breed Standard
Thinking about buying a Berkshire? Find out more about the essential characteristics that define the breed.
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Breed History
The Berkshire is the oldest recorded pedigree pig breed in Britain.
Whilst there were records of Berkshire pigs in the 17th century these are very different to the pig we call a Berkshire now as these were large and came in a variety of sizes.
The modern Berkshire was improved in the late 18th and 19th centuries by the introduction of Asian breeding.
The breed became popular during the 19th and first half of the 20th century but declined in numbers when the emphasis in pig farming turned to bacon production and “white” pigs
Contact
Breed representatives
Breeders club
Mrs S Barnfield
The Batloft,
Hopes Ash Farm
Hope Mansell
Nr Ross-on-Wye
Herefordshire HR9 5JT
01989 750079
kilcotpigs@gmail.com
Mr C Impey
7 Llantrisant Road Tonyrefail
Mid Glamorgan
S Wales CF39 8PP
01443 670133
chrisimpey@btinternet.com
Website: https://www.berkshirepigs.org.uk/
Email: Bk.pigs.club@gmail.com