The Berkshire is a first-class light–weight porker. It suits the modern smallholder in its weight range killing out at 55-65 kgs liveweight. The ideal freezer pig for the discerning customer.

Although black in colour, as a carcass the Berkshire pig dresses out completely white.It is fine boned and has a high lean meat yield. The flesh is noted for its exceptional flavour and texture. We have sold breeding stock to Japan, Canada,  North America and Holland. Some of these have been used to improve the quality of the breed in these countries but others have been used to cross onto commercial white pigs to put back flavour and texture into the meat.

As a crossing breed the Berkshire will suit any programme. Whether used as a sire or a dam when mated with a white breed the resulting progeny will be white and will inherit the hardiness of the pure Berkshire coupled with the ability to produce a high quality lean carcass with high growth rates. Berkshire sows are heavy milkers leading to high weaning weight and good food conversion. As mothers the sows hold their condition well while feeding their young and are noted for their mothering abilities and placid temperament.

Ian & Maggie showing their prize winning January born Berkshire boar at Devon County Show 2005. It was judged best young interbreed boar in the show. It was subsequently selected by Japanese customers along with a litter sister and 4 other Berkshires bred at Smallicombe. It went to Japan via BA in August 2005.

Smallicombe Stonebow 45
Ian with the Empress, Interbreed Champion at Okehampton Show August 2005

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 We usually have breeding stock available from several blood lines. We have strived to ensure that the pigs we use for breeding are of sound temperament and from females of good confirmation who rear good-sized strong litters.

We started showing pigs again in 2004 after a two year absence due to Foot and Mouth. We had considerable success with our Middle Whites gaining Breed Champion at Devon County, Royal Cornwall and Okehampton shows. We also attained a breed and a rererve breed championship for our Berkshires in strong classes.

We  have won the Gillhouse Cup  two years running, having the highest number of points for the best Berkshire in the country. The Smallicombe herd has also won numerous Berkshire Breed championships and several interbreed championships. This is not only very exciting for the Smallicombe Herd but also for the Berkshire breed as it has shown that Rare Breed Pigs can compete against commercial breeds for quality of breeding stock and come out on top. The Herds reputation for top quality breeding stock has brought breeders from all over the country and other parts of the world to buy breeding stock. We have exported breeding stock to North America, Canada,  Japan and Holland. The Dutch are using Berkshire boars on their commercial white sows to improve the flavour and texture of the meat produced in their progeny.

The first Berkshire boar to represent the breed standing at the AI station set up by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust in conjuction with the BPA, British Pig Association was from the Smallicombe Herd.
Semen from a Smallicombe Freight Train boar exported to North America some years ago is now being used in New Zealand.

A Berkshire boar from the Smallicombe herd was in the first consiegnment of pigs to go to Japan  after foot and Mouth.

Test results done in America on the Smallicombe Freight Train boar show its meat as having the best eating, texture and flavour qualities of all the Berkshire boars being used in America.

Semen from the Smallicombe Freight Train boar exported to North America some years ago and is now being used in New Zealand.
 

If you would like to come and visit the herd you will be most welcome.
Please ring to make arrangements.
Telephone Ian & Maggie on 01404 831310.