The End Of An Era

Well, dear reader, we have closed the chapter on raising pasture pigs. My bib overall-wearing buddy finally admitted defeat. After almost two years of trying everything to doctor his beloved pigs, he has accepted that keeping six six-hundred-pound pigs and one huge, loveable boar is no longer a viable farming practice. The last two girls went to the market, and we no longer have temperamental bulldozers as part of our farm family. It is much quieter here on the farm.

We are no longer met with loud snoring, high-pitched squealing, or oinking chatter when we enter the barn. Although I am not a fan of pigs, I feel the quiet that has settled over the barn. I will not miss the dramatic squealing, fighting, and general discontentedness that the pigs brought. However, when they weren't in a hormone-driven rage, they were somewhat charming and comical from a distance.

I am never supportive of ending a life, and I struggle with raising animals for meat. However, even in my naivete and tender-hearted approach to animal keeping, I realize that keeping six six-hundred-pound plus feed guzzlers is not sustainable for long. Sadly, no one else is interested in keeping an infertile, six-hundred-pound pet with a bad attitude. Our options were limited.

Fortunately, Cleetus went to a new home. He is such a ball of sunshine, albeit annoying sunshine, but he truly is a happy, smiling fellow. Cleetus will go on to sire babies, annoy his swine family, and spread his sunshine. Cleetus and Wendy, Jenna's pig, were an inseparable pair. Again, I know I am not the norm when raising animals, but it made me sad when Cleetus was loaded up and sent to his new home. I am certain he and Wendy missed each other. I feel it is unjust to separate friends and family. However, sometimes, our hands are tied, and we have no other options. This aspect of farming is something I will never get used to.

For now, the farm is pig-free. In a year or two, I would like to introduce small, friendly, docile Kune Kune pigs. Kune Kune pigs grow to around two hundred pounds and are known to be calm, gentle, intelligent, and friendly. My largest goats are around two hundred pounds. I believe I will like the smaller breed better than the massive monsters we had. Kune Kune pigs have funny, squishy faces only a mother could love. The phrase " so ugly they are cute " applies to the Kune Kune breed. However, we have some work to do before we reinstate pigs.

The Bibbed Wonder wants to clean the barn well and spray it with a disinfecting agent several times before he thinks about getting more pigs. He also wants to give the ground time to rest and reset if there is anything microbial in the soil. We have inquired about having the soil tested, but thus far, we have not found any solutions. The cause of Eric's beloved pig's infertility remains a mystery.

One day, in the near future, I hope to see funny-faced, small, striped piggies with a litter of little ones plodding through the fields, eating snakes, and playing in mud puddles. Until then, we will do what we can to prepare for a new era of healthy, productive piggies. I am a bit concerned about having a single-species farm. I worry about increasing parasite loads, soil quality decline, and illness. We are diligent about keeping a closed herd. I can only see us becoming more careful and protective of our goat herd. As with everything, only time will tell.

On this overcast, windy spring day, stay safe, be smart, appreciate learning experiences, do everything you can to improve and keep washing your hands.