Natural Organic Berkshire Pork

The “Berkshire” (pronounced 'Barkshire') breed originates from England/Scotland and is a favorite of Queen Elizabeth. In breeding circles, Berkshire pork is known as ’Berkshire gold’, are jet black with six white “points” and small, erect ears. The breeders realize it is an exceptional product, and it fits the niche market for quality pork. 

Modern breeds finish faster than the Berkshire, but their meat lacks the mature flavour sought by chefs. Berkshire pigs top all other breeds in such categories as meat marbling, moisture, and tenderness. The extra fat, which is ideal position as marbling rather than a thick surface layer, also enhances flavour and brings juiciness. The meat is darker in colour because of the age, the breed, and the fact that the animals must have access to the outdoors.

Though genetically “blessed”, Berkshire pork is as much a product of nurture as nature. While industrial pigs generally subsist on simple corn and soybean feed, our Berkshire hogs often dine on feed supplemented with grains, molasses, fresh vegetables and fruits and in our case 96 micronutrient additives.

Animals require simple, adequate shelter, bountiful amounts of hay, bedding and access to the great outdoors. There is no offensive liquid manure to offend neighbours and allowing them outdoors eliminates “barn smell” that might offend the discriminating customer.The high volume of bedding will soak up the valuable liquid manure that is rich in high-cost nitrogen and once embedded in the straw or hay, will release slowly during a growing season or two, averting the pitfall of nitrogen leaching into groundwater and becoming a nitrate pollution issue. There will be high organic matter content to improve soil structure.

Buying local produce not only means you are supporting a local economy but it also means that you are able to witness for yourself, just how your food is produced.