Idaho Pasture Pigs

 The Idaho Pasture Pig (IPP) is a newer breed of pig that is composed of the Duroc, Old Berkshire, and the Kunekune pig. These are true “grazing” pigs and are very gentle in nature, have great personalities, are easy to work with, are smaller in size then traditional pigs, are great mothers, are able to live outdoors all year round, and can grow extremely well with a diet of primarily grass.  One of the benefits of this breed is their smaller mature size. Ideally, sows should mature out at 250 – 350 pounds, whereas the boars should mature out at 350 – 450 pounds. When feeding a diet of primarily grass, the butcher pigs should reach a butcher weight of about 230 – 250 in approximately 10 months.  They have a disposition similar to the Kunekune pigs in that they are loveable, extremely gentle, and love attention. They also have inherited the shorter, upturned snouts similar to the Kunekune pigs, but more of a medium-length as compared to the shorter Kunekune snouts. This allows them to be pasture based and graze the pastures and eat legumes and grasses very well. They love grass and will graze just like the other animals we have on our farm. They farrow easily and have less complications with birthing provided they maintain a healthy weight. 

 For more information about this great breed, please check out the book “Raising Pigs On Green Pastures”, written by the founder of the IPP registry, Jodi Cronauer. 

http://bookstore.dorrancepublishing.com/raising-pigs-on-green-pastures/

Idaho Pasture Pigs are a newer breed of pig that are known for their flavorful, red-marbled pork. IPP pork is said to have an old-world flavor and a rich color, and some say it's gourmet quality.  Through selective and unique breeding, the registry has developed a friendly, pasture-based, meat hog. They selected breeds known for excellent, red marbled meat, all while also making a friendly and gentle addition to any farm. 

 Hobbyfarms.com explains that "The meat from these grass-fed pigs is higher in omega-3 fatty acids. It's also more marbleized than traditional grown pork, with a deep red color and a sweeter flavor". 

Some more key facts:

Butter-like fat: IPP pork has fat that's similar to butter.

Higher vitamin E and omega-3s: Pastured pork has more vitamin E and healthy omega-3 fatty acids than traditionally raised pork.

Firmer meat: Pasture pigs get lots of exercise, which can result in firmer pork.