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Pig herding in oak forests
Project
Project code: 2805BM0141
Contract period: 01.09.2006
- 31.08.2010
Budget: 40,301 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Results of the study demonstrate, that pig herding in coppice and coppice-with-standards (CWS) forests in Germany with Swabian-Hall swine is possible and economically viable.
We observed substantial fluctuations in acorn production in the forest, with a good mast in 2006 with an acorn production of 1154 kg per hectar that allowed for herding of up to 171 pigs on an area of 20 ha for a fattening period of 90 days or allowed for herding 150 pigs for a fattening period of 103 days, respectively. In the two following years 2007 and 2008 acorn production was only a fraction of the 2006 production (around 28 percent), and in 2009 was nearly nil. Although acorns are an important staple, pigs obviously found suitable substitute feed (e.g. insects, caterpillars, herbs, mushrooms) in years of low acorn production. Severe feed shortage can be alleviated by complementary feeding of acorns (collected in other stands and / or purchased), alternatively herd size can be adapted to the mast conditions.
First investigations demonstrated that in good mast years (e.g. 2006) pigs leave over a considerable number of acorns, which may give raise to a sufficient amount of oak regeneration.
Hard mast of Swabian-Hall swines with acorns resulted in a qualitatively high valued ham and meat product with a specific flavour, which is easily marketable. As a positive side effect of this niche use pig herding in CWS with Swabian-Hall swine supported the conservation of this endangered race and also supported the conservation of CWS forests, because the potential use of underwood and / or standards is not affected by herding.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal nutrition
