Committed to people, animals, plants and land working together
A pigs life
After much research, we settled on Berkshires, a heritage breed, widely considered to be the "Wagyu of the pork world".
We believe it is an exceptional product, recognised as topping all other breeds in categories of meat marbling, moisture and tenderness and vastly superior to the intensive, shedded pork, grown in crates and sold in supermarkets.
“Berkys” (and Berky cross) are well suited to our climate and living outdoors. They are content, smart and super cute!
In addition to a staple diet of pasture, roots and grubs, our pigs are fed a daily ration of home and locally grown grains, minimising food miles. The mix contains wheat, barley, chick peas and faba beans. We incorporate registered supplements as advised to give the animals the essential vitamins and minerals required for health.
We do not use manufactured pellets.
From time to time, the pigs indulge in excess fruit and vegetables from our garden.
Widgee Pastured Pork is: ANTIBIOTIC FREE HORMONE FREE GE and GMO FREE
Our pigs live in straw-lined huts which are moved around the farm on sleds. This gives the animals access to new pasture and ground to forage, a nice change of scenery and in turn contributes to a balance in soil health and fertility.
Everything is mobile (solar rotational fencing, shelters and water points) thus reducing our footprint on this land.
Just as we enjoy our mornings watching the sun rise over the Warrumbungle Ranges, so too do our pigs. We face the open huts Eastward to catch the morning rays....something that makes us all happy!
Land
Our pigs live with us on our 1200 acre property, "Widgee". Taking its name from the Aboriginal word meaning westerly wind, Widgee is located on the plains between the Warrumbungle National Park and the Macquarie Marshes in central NSW. Formerly a sheep/wheat farm, our pigs are helping restore soil fertility on select areas ... slowly and naturally over time ... there’s no rush... it’s a good life!
Water
Water is sourced directly from the Great Artesian Basin by way of a solar powered bore. Fresh water is drawn up each day from an underground stream and we use that to make sure the pigs have ample supplies.
Fortunately for the pigs, they live on "gilgai" country (unique to the area) Gilgais are natural indents in the landscape that fill with water when it rains. These create perfect wallows for the pigs to lounge around and cool off in warm weather. It is critical that pigs have access to wallows as it allows them to display natural behaviours.
Inevitably, seasons come and go, the gilgais do dry up and the solar bore has been set up to pipe water to each area ensuring they always have access to wallows.
About Us
We never set out to be pig farmers. We simply fell in love with our porky friends, fascinated by their social antics and the integral role they play in the jigsaw of sustainable agriculture. Now here we are, enjoying every minute of it!