Stuart started pig breeding six years ago after attending a show and selecting the pedigree Saddleback as his breed of choice. Stuart comments: ‘They have a very striking look with their distinctive black body and white saddle which includes both fore legs. I knew this was the breed for me and I now have six sows producing around 140 piglets a year.’
Stuart and his son Elliott select the best examples of the breed from their litters each year which they then put forward to show. ‘Faith’ is this year’s star gilt (young female pig) having recently been crowned class champion at both the Royal Isle of Wight County Show and in the January class at the Bath and West. And for the first time, Stuart entered one of his Sows with ‘Eve’ being crowned Champion Sow at the Royal Isle of Wight County Show.
Esta historia es de la edición October 2022 de The Country Smallholder.
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Esta historia es de la edición October 2022 de The Country Smallholder.
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How to Buy a Smallholding in France- Long-time smallholder Lorraine Turnbull looks at the practicalities of moving to rural France
Aspiring smallholders are continually thwarted by the prices of smallholdings and property with land located within the UK. Even the humblest croft in Scotland comes with a substantial price tag and conditions which would make even an adventurous wannabee consider carefully. But all is not lost. For those willing to take the adventure of a lifetime, there is always Europe, and one of the most popular places is France.
Meet the Bournemouth goats and their supporters
These capricious animals are hard workers preserving the natural habitat
Still warm enough to sit outside with a Pizza
Henrietta Balcon uses fresh figs to create an unusual dish at Harvest time
Goodbye to the birds of spring and summer
If you look and listen you might be able to see them preparing to leave says The RSPB
Get ready for the colder weather in the warmth of late summer
Claire Waring advises on doing the best to make sure your colonies survive until next spring
Preparing the Veg Patch for Winter
Lee Senior says, a well-run plot can excitingly continue to produce good quality, tasty, fresh food for much of winter
Time to prepare to plant your orchard
Wade Muggleton, smallholder and author of The Orchard Book, shares his practical experience so you can create your own fruit collection
Choosing feed for the autumn
As autumn approaches, Joanna Palmer, nutritionist at the Smallholder Range, offers advice on choosing the right feed to support your adult birds through their annual moult and ensure your young birds grow and finish well at this time of the year.
Vet advice from an experienced poultry vet
Reflecting on how much the humble hen has helped people world wide plus advice on stopping the scourge of red mite
Give your hens some support
Paul Donovan looks at the right and wrong ways of handling birds
