Rare Breeds

Pilgrim geese, another endangered breed.

Rare breeds are domestic livestock breeds that became rare because they did not fit well with modern, intensive agricultural production systems. Rare breeds such as the Wessex Saddleback pigs and the Pilgrim geese are old breeds whose development was centred on traditional free-range smallholdings.  They are slower to mature than more modern breeds, produce less lean meat and have a poorer feed conversion factor.

 So the real question is: Why would anyone keep rare breeds?

I suppose the standard answer is to protect biodiversity within the gene pool, but for me the answer is simpler; because I care and because I can. There is no business plan for our farm, no budgets, no profit and loss statements and a recognition that it will always depend on outside employment to stay viable.

Most of our animals will be destined for slaughter and while this may seem a strange way to preserve rare breeds, in the long term it is the only way. All domestic livestock breeds have to pay their way and rare breeds are no exception.

Who knows, with the coming ban on sow stalls, the cost structures will change and may possibly allow some of these old breeds to once again have a wider role in the pig industry.