Dan Oberdorfer

In Praise of Guinea Hogs

In Praise of Guinea Hogs

by:
from issue:

Guineas are a landrace breed. This is not to be confused with Danish Landrace pink production hogs. Small ‘l’ landrace means that they developed by adapting to their environment – the way nature selects. In the 18th and 19th centuries Guineas were free rangers. They scrounged for their own food. Those that were good mothers had good litters. Rather than farmers choosing the characteristics to breed back, which we do now, Guineas bred in the woods. The capable survived. What this leaves us with is a lard breed of swine which does well on low grade forage; a smaller, good natured animal that does well outside. The perfect pastured pork for a smaller or homestead operation.