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Since I was a child I have always loved the Saddleback pig breed. It was always my ambition to own a few good pedigree pigs and to show them at agricultural shows.
For many years I kept a variety of non-pedigree pigs commercially alongside our herd of dairy cows which is our main enterprise.
In 2003 we decided it was now or never and purchased two pedigree Saddleback in farrow gilts. They are off the Dinah line which is truly based on the amalgamation of Essex and Wessex breeds (although I must admit to preferring the Wessex type). The first litters were born, we bought a boar and our own pedigree pig herd had begun.
We chose the ‘MuddyLane’ prefix as it is an apt description of our driveway in the wintertime and we thought it was a name people would remember.
We belong to the British Pig Association, the Saddleback Breeders Club and the Wales and Border County Pig Breeders Association.
Carolyne and I both get a lot of fun out of taking the pigs to shows and showing them in the ring – it is a time away from the farm that we both enjoy. The other pig exhibitors are a friendly crowd and we like meeting the general public and answering their questions about our pigs.
We get a lot of pleasure from our pigs and we are happy to share our knowledge, supply breeding stock or weaners and give advice to anyone who asks for it.
For novices at pig keeping we recommend the book:
A Guide to Traditional Pig Keeping
by Carol Harris ISBN 1-904871-10-0
Available from www.amazon.co.uk
and
www.farmersguardian.com
Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Irving and Carolyne
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