What you looking at?

As a special treat today Stable Sprite took me to a pig keepers course run by the Pig Breeders Association or some such umbrella body. It was a marvelous opportunity to meet other smallholders and swap exciting stories about pigs while drinking fairtrade coffee, eating organic ginger biscuits and knitting tofu.
Ok. I am a smallholder. Its a fact. But I am a certain type of smallholder. The type who shudders when they meet the beardy sandal kaftan wearing rare breed saving types. I keep rare breeds alive by eating a lot of them. It got off to a tricky start today when a really enthusiastic bearded smallholder bounced up and demanded what type of pig I kept and were they for showing or breeding. I obviously misheard her and replied "Eating" which ended the conversation and she moved on.
There were some normal types there, the majority were called Steve and one Steve told a tale of how two Tamworth pigs decided not to get into the trailer like they were supposed to and decided to escape by going under the Daihatsu jeep which they flipped onto its side. Boar pigs fully grown can weigh over 50 stone, that's a lot of frustrated sausages that can be incredibly strong and aggressive.

Now on the whole the course was fascinating, and I learned a lot. One thing I learned was that pigs don't squeal like they are being murdered when picked up by their back legs. I also noted pig breeders use eye candy to attract potential buyers, like car manufacturers who adorn their latest models with scantily clad women, and that most of the male smallholders present today paid particular attention to one of the guest speakers glamorous assistant rather than the finer points of fat stock selection. It was amazing how many men suddenly took an interest in photography every time she showed a pig and when the demonstration of how to oil a pig began Stable Sprite and I were nearly killed in the sudden stampede as beardy sandal wearers rushed to get a good vantage point and several of the older smallholders had to be taken away for compulsory cold showers and a lie down in a darkened room.

Seeing a pig breeding system in operation start to finish (the tiny one that has escaped in the picture somewhere below is the start while the sleeping pigs above are the finish as they are due for slaughter tomorrow) was very helpful and elements will be employed here at Rock HQ.
Stable Sprite bought this mighty fine boar and a lovely maiden gilt from one of the top Berkshire breeders in the country. He was very happy with his purchase.
Me, I bought the most revolting sausage and chips for lunch ever, really if you are going to supply food to potential and pig breeders you should think a bit further than the pink sausage from Asda. But I was very happy. Mostly because I found that on a farm show casing the best of pig breeding in the country they use baler twine to keep the gates shut. Just like me.