Thank you AKKPS Member Tracy Crist of Hopewell Heritage Farm for the use of your picture.

“Why do I need a meat program?”  is a question often asked when raising KuneKunes. There are many reasons why having a meat program, especially with today's food security issues, is necessary. Creating a meat production program for your herd can benefit you economically, operationally, and for the breed's preservation.

First and foremost, is the need to have a program that addresses your cull pigs that don’t meet the current breed standard, and undesirable traits need to end with that individual pig. This is especially true with gilts. Sold without being spayed as pets, companions, or other reasons contribute to the passing on of bad traits. With a pork program, a farm can sell only the best as fully registered breeding stock, barrows (castrated males) as pets, companion pigs and meat pigs while you retain gilts for meat on your own farm. Contrary to popular belief gilts and sows can be utilized in the same way as their male counterparts and are often better for some products. They make excellent salami and other charcuterie meats.

Another advantage is a pork program has the potential to increase your farm's profitability. By establishing a systematic approach to breeding, raising, and managing your pigs, farmers can optimize the growth rates and health of their herds, leading to higher-quality meat products that are more attractive to buyers. Your buyers can be local consumers from the farmers market, or those who visit your on-farm store, restaurants, or larger-scale distributors. This can result in better market prices and a steady income stream.

Improved efficiency and resource management can also be a result of having a meat program. A well-structured meat production program includes detailed planning for feeding, medical care, housing, and overall pig welfare. By standardizing these practices, farmers can reduce waste, minimize the risk of disease, and ensure that their pigs are growing in the most cost-effective and healthy manner possible. Efficient resource use not only cuts down on unnecessary expenses but also contributes to sustainable farming practices, which are increasingly important in today’s environmentally-conscious market.

At the end of the day, how do you plan on using those pigs that you know are not ones that should be used as breeding stock? You don’t even have to jump into selling retail cuts, a nice family or gathering of friends with KuneKune as your main meat course can be all it takes to get people to purchase butchered halves or whole pigs. You can be a small hobby farm up to a pork production farm with these ideas in place. By doing this you are helping your farm and the breed. You can start to chip away at that feed bill with the profit of a couple of sold butchered pigs.