Mangalitsa Pigs & (Human) Baby

We are Grandparents for the second time! Carter James Blackburn was born on November 10th (his Aunt Meghan's birthday) at 5:11 pm. Carter joins his older brother, Landon who will be 2 in January. He is a big guy - 8 lbs 13oz and 21 1/2" long. Whew! Our daughter-in-law, Melissa, was a real trooper. We had a "girls day" with a really great bunch of coaches since Daddy is at Army boot camp.

This is a really clear picture of one of our new Mangalitsa pigs. These pigs are very interesting.

Mangalitsa (MON-go-leet-sa) was created in 1833 by the Hungarian Royal Archduke Jozsef. It is a name for three breeds of pig grown especially in Hungary and the Balkans known also as a curly-hair hog. The Mangalitsa pig is unusual as it grows a hairy 'fleece', akin to that of a sheep.

Unlike all popular breeds of hogs, which are meat-type, the Mangalitsa is an extreme lard-type breed. Meat-type breeds efficiently produce lean meat. Lard-type breeds produce high-quality fat and very marbled, juicy and flavorful meat.

Raised properly the Mangalitsa's genes allow it to produce some of the world's best meat and fat. Mangalitsa fat is more unsaturated than normal pig fat, so it tastes much "lighter", "cleaner" and melts at a lower temperature. The fat is also healthier and keeps longer, due to higher levels of oleic acid.

Mangalitsa meat has stronger flavor and more than double the marbling of average pork. The special qualities of Mangalitsa fat allow it to be whipped like cream. The fat can be cured and served in thin slices.

The exceptional meat and fat quality of Mangalitsa set it apart and explain why professionals use it in ways they'd never use other pork.

The Mangalitsa is and has always been an extreme lard-type hog. In contrast, popular "heritage breeds" like the Berkshire, once famous for excellent meat quality, are leaner and less tasty than ever. We have tasted this meat and it is unlike anything you have ever tasted.

We now have 4 gilts (young female pigs) and one boar that we bought from Heath Putman Farms. Their website is Woolypigs.com and has some great information. We are hoping to have our first litter in April.

Take a day and come out to see our new special pigs.

Here is a great "pig poem"

I've heard it said that pigs will fly
and someday soon they'll rule the sky.
That may sound strange but, if it's right,
I don't suppose they'll fly a kite.
I'll bet, instead, they'll have to train
so they can learn to fly a plane,
or join the Navy where they'll get
to learn to fly a fighter jet.

Or maybe they'll grow piggy wings,
or put on shoes with giant springs,
or fly in huge hot-air balloons,
or seaplanes with those big pontoons,
or biplanes like a flying ace,
or shuttles into outer space,
or rocket ships for trips to Mars,
or flying saucers to the stars.

However pigs decide to fly,
as long as they are way up high
and busy buzzing all around
instead of grunting on the ground,
I think it's safe to say I'll love
to see them soaring up above.
I'm sure I won't be shocked or shaken.
Still, I'll prob'ly miss the bacon.
--Kenn Nesbitt