Pastured Pig Podcast

In this episode, I have two guest on the podcast. Both have experience shipping retail cuts to customers all over the country. Rob Dowdle of Dowdle Family Farm and Jake Miller of Outwest Farm share their experiences, tips and tricks on how to successfully add shipping to your farm sales. SPONSOR: Red Tool House Store - https://store.redtoolhouse.com/ Also, join us for discussion of all things past...

In this episode, I talk with Nathan Post of Small Town Farms in Beamsville, Ontario. Nathan and his family have a farrowing operation on 7 leased acres between Buffalo and Toronto. Their goal is to build their operation into a farrowing/feeder pigs business focusing on quality genetics and hybrid vigor. For more information about their farm, visit their website at smalltownfarms.net . SPONSOR: Red...

In this episode, I revisit with Jim Chelbowski (aka Dr. Smokehouse) who was last on the podcast in December of 2019 (Episode 28). Jim has dedicated much of his spare time honing his charcuterie skills and has become quite skilled and knowledgable in that field. Since we last talked with Jim, he has moved to Maine and has a different setup in which to raise his pigs, process them on farm, and cure...

In this episode, I talk with Neal Saxton who has been raising pigs practically all of his life. His experience in breeding has lead him to create his ideal closed loop herd that gives him the results he has been looking for. His grasp of swine genetics is amazing and I think you will be impressed by his efforts. You can learn more about him at  https://www.facebook.com/trifectanaturalpork/ SPONSOR...

In this episode, I talk with Jason Dodd of Dodds Acres in Ontario, Canada. Jason shares details about his farm setup and some of the subtle differences they experience when it comes to feed, processing, and breed choice in Canada. For more information about his farm, visit https://doddsacres.ca/ SPONSOR: Red Tool House Store - https://store.redtoolhouse.com/ Also, join us for discussion of all thi...

In this episode, I talk with Hunter Forsberg who is just getting started in pastured pigs on his family's ranch in Idaho. We talk about future goals and challenges he is facing in the harsh conditions of his region. SPONSOR: Sierra Madre - https://offer.sierramadreresearch.com/red-tool-house-pws Also, join us for discussion of all things pastured pig on our new facebook group, The Pastured Pig. ht...

In this episode, I interview Preston Fuller of the MF Farmstead. Preston and his family are starting a pastured pig operation in Georgia and they have fallen in love with the Meishan breed. They hope to build a pastured pig operation from that breed and experiment with some genetic crosses. Learn more about them at Themffarmstead.com SPONSOR: Sierra Madre - https://offer.sierramadreresearch.com/re...

In this episode, I talk with Kyle Friedman who has developed a farrowing operation in the finger lakes region of New York. Kyle admits he has been a city boy most of his life but with a move to New York several years ago, he has fully embraced the farm lifestyle and is moving at a rapid pace learning all he can with the help of a great Mennonite mentor. SPONSOR: Red Tool House Web Store - https://...

In this episode, I talk with James Cornwell of Nine Pines Farm in Pennsylvania. James and his wife farm full time on 3 different parcels of land - some owned and some leased. Pastured pigs make up a portion of his farming enterprise and he has learned to maximize acreage and profit potential with his setup. You can learn more about his farm at https://www.ninepinesfarm.com/ SPONSOR: Red Tool House...

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Talita Resende (PhD) and Kara Flaherty from Ohio State University Extension. They are researching parasite loads in Pastured Pigs and are offering FREE testing on farms who raise pigs outside of confinement areas. The data they are collecting will be very helpful for producers of any size who want to learn more about potential parasite load in their pastured herd....

In this episode, I talk with Brian Jenckes from Moose River Farm in New Hampshire. Bryan's farm operation is quickly growing to where he is needing more space than his 10acre tract can allow. We discuss the details of his setup and his plans to expand including leasing additional properties and the challenges with that effort. Also, join us for discussion of all things pastured pig on our new face...

This episode has a visiting SW Arizona to speak with Weedy Weidenthal. Weedy has a really exciting farm effort he is doing in the high desert of AZ utilizing his pigs to clear invasives and build soil with a deep litter method. We have a great conversation and he also shares some visuals of his setup that can be seen on the video version of the podcast. Want to knkow more about Weedy? Find him on...

In this episode, I sit down with Austin Unruh to take a deep dive into silvopasture and the benefits of incorporating it into the farm. Austin and his team are expanding their consulting and design services to venture into the pastured pig world. We have a great conversation on the benefits of this practice. For more information on his business, visit https://treesforgraziers.com/ Interested in ou...

In this episode, I talk with Justin Slaughter of Slaughter Family Farm in Kentucky. Just has a great story about pursuing his dream of farming and leaving the white color business world. The pandemic actually motivated him more to get his business rolling. Within just a few years, he has been able to establish enough revenue to provide for his family. If you want to know more about Justin and his...

In this episode, I talk with Taylor Brown from Hoosier Seedstock in Indiana. Taylor has a fantastic breeding operation setup on his 10 acres. We discuss the details of his farrowing schedule, breed selection, and income from sales of his piglets. For more information about his farm, find him on facebook at https://www.facebook.com/hoosierseedstock His website is https://hoosier-seedstock.mailerpag...

In this episode, I talk swine nutrition with Rob Dowdle of Dowdle Family Farms. Rob has done extensive research on exploring the nutritional value of certain feed sources including free feed access we can sometimes find like pumpkin, brewer's grain, dairy, etc. He focuses on the protein concentration and the lysine amounts for weight gain in pigs.  You can find Rob on Youtube at: https://www.youtu...

In this episode, we revisit with Charles Lafferty to discuss the one year mark (halfway point) of his SARE grant. Charles shares the successes and challenges of the first year with pigs in the woods. You can find out more about his efforts at: skylinepastures.com Check out his Youtube channel at: https://www.youtube.com/@skylinepastures8445   Come join us at the homesteading-ish conference this Se...

In this episode, I talk with Ross Lewis a young farmer in Virginia. Ross is a civil engineer and has used his design knowledge to come up with a pretty ingenious automatic feeding and watering system for his breeding stock. We will describe it in this audio podcast but the link to his Youtube video explaining it below. Ross's Youtube Video Hickory Faith Farm Facebook   Come join us at the homestea...

In the episode, I talk with Dave and Jodi Cronauer from White Bison Farm in northern Wisconsin. They have a lot going on at their farm including raising bison for meat, GypsyVanner Horses (not for meat), and Idaho Pastured Pigs (those are for meat). They also maintain the IPP nation registry. To learn more about them, visit their website: https://whitebisonfarm.com/   Come join us at the homestead...

In this episode, I talk with Carl Blake about his new book Pork For Profit: The Business of Whole Hog Roasting. This book is a comprehensive step by step guide on how to build and manage a hog roasting business. This is a great side gig for pastured pig farms or can even be a full time gig in some areas. Be sure to check out his book on Amazon here is the link https://amzn.to/4bhrdWF Also, join us...

In this episode, I talke with Brian MacFarland of Five Forks Farm in Bruceton Mills, WV. Brian and his wife are just at the one year mark of having pigs on pasture. Farrowing has been tough for them the last year, but they are using these experiences to grow and hone their craft when it comes to raising pigs. Brian shares his "failures" in a honest and open manner. I hope this will be beneficial a...

In this episode, I talk with Bryson Lipscomb of Triple Oaks Farm in Virginia about how he and his wife took a simple hobby farm and in less than 3 years turned it into a large scale operation that has them both working full time now on the farm.  Also, join us for discussion of all things pastured pig on our new facebook group, The Pastured Pig. https://www.facebook.com/groups/thepasturedpig Pleas...

In this episode, I talk with Maj Jim Brickson (retired) about his farm/homesteading efforts on 50 acres in Northern Minnesota. Jim and his wife are both retired from the military and looks to enjoy the golden years on the farm. We talk about some of the challenges that poses as well as how to manage aging and farming work. Check out the Brickson Youtube channel at Savory Life Also, join us for dis...

In this episode, I talke with Chuck Lewis of Sheraton Park Farms about how his farmer's market setup has evolved over time to produce the most efficient and profitable setup for his farm. Chuck dies into the details of cost and things to consider when setting up for a market. Also, join us for discussion of all things pastured pig on our new facebook group, The Pastured Pig. https://www.facebook.c...

In this episode, I speak with Tyler Hill of Evergreen Farm in Pennsylvania. Tyler is working 53 acres with chickens, sheep and pigs. Pigs are his most recent addition and through providence, he ended up with a breeding pair of AGH X Hampshire. We explore the challenges of this cross and what he has liked and what he plans to do differently. Also, join us for discussion of all things pastured pig o...