We have enjoyed raising our pigs on pasture, but the time arrived for the pigs to experience their one bad day and provide meat for our family and others.
If you missed the blog describing how we raise our pigs, check out: Pigs For Sale! – Growing Roots Farm (thegrowingrootsfarm.com)
Now, that we have processed the pigs, it is time to discuss the money aspect of what happens when you purchase an entire pig. The upfront cost isn't cheap. Also, you need to have a proper way to store the meat to ensure that you don't waste your money. However, when you break it down, you may be surprised at how much you can save by purchasing the whole animal versus purchasing portions of it at the local store.
Our pigs averaged 220 pounds each. At $2.25 per pound of live weight animal, the cost would be $495.
Our cost for processing a pig was about $150. This price could vary depending on the cuts requested.
The total cost for one of our pigs would be about $645. Now, this is a large sum of money to fork out at one time. I get it. If you are going to spend this money, you need to know that it is going to be worth it.
Our hanging weight for this pig was 190 pounds. Take the total cost of the pig ($645) and divide that by the hanging weight and it averages to $3.39 per pound. Now, you are purchasing a whole pig so you will be getting various cuts (it can't all be made into bacon!), but as a per pound price, it works out very well.
Let's compare it to our local big-chain grocery store:
- A one-pound package of Jimmy Dean brand sausage is currently listed at $5.49.
- A pork shoulder butt is listed at $2.69 per pound.
- A whole boneless pork tenderloin is $3.49 per pound.
- The bone-in pork shoulder steak is listed at $4.49 per pound.
- Boneless pork loin chops are listed at $5.99 per pound.
These are just a few options, but they range from $2.69 per pound to $5.99 per pound of meat.
These financial calculations were made WITHOUT consideration of quality.
How are pigs traditionally raised for meat production that eventually land on your grocery shelves? They are typically housed in barns with concrete floors. The hard surface of the floor is designed for easier waste removal. They are provided food, water and bedding materials. These pigs rarely experience the sunlight or natural ground. It is common practice for their tails to be docked to prevent other pigs from biting them and creating an infection source. Some pigs in these environments receive vaccines for disease prevention.
Let's think of what a pig would do if left to its own devices in the wild. He would forage, root and wander the woods for sustenance. He would wallow in mud, relax in the shade and enjoy the natural world. I truly believe that a happy pig makes for better quality pork products.
We cannot allow our pigs to roam all over the country and be good neighbors. We have to utilize methods to give them freedom but also contain them. We use electric netting fence, behavior modification with feed/treats from a bucket, continuous movement, regular handling, etc., to mimic the environment of a feral pig while also maintaining control.
Here are a few photos and videos of how we raise our pigs on pasture:
And if you want even more details, check out this previous blog post: Pigs! – Growing Roots Farm (thegrowingrootsfarm.com)
After all of that hard work and effort, it is satisfying to look upon a freezer full of food for our family.
Resources:
Final Vaccination Vaccination mangament document.pdf (msu.edu)
An Overview of Pork Production in the U.S. (agriculture.com)
Opinion | 30 to 50 feral hogs can’t cover this up - The Washington Post