Jenny/Tonganui boars:

DOB October 16th

Ginger double wattled.

Black/white double wattled.

Tonganui/Jenny boars.

DOB 09/04/11

Ginger/black, double wattled.

Brown/white double wattled.

Andrew/Rona and Jenny/Tonganui Breeding Pair

Ready to go November 1st.

D.O.B.    8/14/11 and 9/4/11

Perhaps one of our most conformationally correct boars to date!  Stunningly correct Kunekune head with diverse genetics this little boar will make an amazing foundation boar for any breeding herd.  Sired out of our two favorite beeding Kunekunes, we are thrilled to be able to offer such an excellent example of the breed.  This particular gilt is out of our beautiful ginger and black Jenny sow.  Along with her mother's magnificent coloring, she offers the diversity of the Tonganui line on her sire's side, which we feel completes this breeding pair making them one of the most diverse pairs you will find available in the USA at this time. 

 Wilsons Gina/Tonanui Gilt

Beautiful ginger and black.  Unique genetics make this little gilt a fine choice for any breeding program.  Combines with her femine apearance and friendly personality, we are very proud to offer this piglet for sale. 

DOB  October 17th, 2011

Tonganui/Rona boar.

DOB 04/28/09.

Solid Ginger

Double Wattled

This is a unique opportunity to purchase a mature, proven boar for your breeding program.  Wendell has produced consistent double wattled piglets with excellent conformation.  He also throws larger than average piglets which would be ideal for a breeding program looking to produce Kunekunes for meat.  This particular sale will be discussed via phone 406-599-9797. 

Andrew/Jenny boar.

DOB 3/27/11.

Solid Cream

Double Wattled

Sired out of our prized breeding boar Corneilus.  This breeding age boar has inhertited his fathers masculine physique as well as broad dished face.  His signiture upturned snout  sets this breeding boar apart from any other boar we have to offer for sale at this time.

357 days remaining and OH so much to fill them with! 

Too many irons in the fire—don’t count your chickens before the hatch—no use crying over spilled milk—don’t put all your eggs in one basket—between a rock and a hard place—free as a bird—good fences make good neighbors—haven’t got a row to hoe—light as a feather—feeling his oats—little strokes fell great oaks—make hay while the sun shines—many hands make light work…

We, who’ve actually dropped a whole day’s worth of eggs, we wish we would’ve used two baskets.  Not everyone has pondered the weight of a feather in their palm. Have any of our acquaintances watched with satisfaction as their calves kick up their heels after a few pounds of extra oats?

Just sayin’.

This calling, by which physical work can be rendered enjoyable and interesting, requires certain characteristics that may be learned, but that I believe are mostly inborn.  –Gene Logsdon, The Contrary Farmer

I was given my Grandfather’s milking pail for Christmas.  It was the most meaningful gift of my life…

This year Black Valley Farm can’t help but gamble that all our chickens are bound to hatch!!

<As Regional Coordinators of The American Kunekune Breeders Association we have decided this year to host several Kunekune workshops, we have volunteered to coordinate, oversee, and edit the AKBA Quarterly Newsletter. (You can now subscrib through our website.)

< Convinced that we have a breed of swine that has an unfathomable potential for sustainable farming, we will begin welcoming our first litters of the year in February…

<Anticipating dairy production, and itching to once again see goat kids dancing across our pastures, we will be bringing in our first buck shortly. 

< Sausage, butter, pumpkins, zinnas, cheese, sunflowers, apples, raspberries, asparagus, sauerkraut…these have become our dinner conversation topics.

<Clover, legumes, herbs, timothy,  and winter wheat wonder through our minds as we extend our pastures.

As our dreams take shape and our seeds sprout and our herds increase we hope to be able to share with as many of you as possible the joys of laughing over spilled milk, knowing that there will be more in the morning! 

We invite you to check back with us frequently as our plans for workshops, field days, farm tours, and a tremendous Fall Fest unfold. If you want to hold a piglet, butt heads with a goat, pick a flower, find an egg, or even hoe your own row—we’re right here and willing.  We’ll even send you home with a feather!

February 5th  Litter

 <Darby, our newest gilt to arrive at Black Valley Farm, was purchased specifically to be paired with our Boris and Tutaki boars.  She has excellent conformation, is double wattled, and posesses the docile  personality we prize most in our herd. Since we could not decide which boar would be the better pairing with this special gilt we placed her with both boars and let them decide.  Piglets will of course be DNA tested for proof of parentage.  We are anxiously anticipating the arrival of these piglets.

March 8th Litter

<Ramona has proven herself as an excellent mother of top quality piglets.  Her litters remain small contributing to the length of the waiting list for her avialable offspring.  Her litters have thus far been gilt heavy and exclusively double wattled.  We have again paired her with Cornelius, our Andrew boar, with expectations to duplicate the results of her previous litter. We could not ask for better examples of the Kunekune breed either genetically or conformationally.  

April 10th Litter

<Agnes, our black and white double wattled Jenny sow, has  been bred to our Tutaki boar.  This is our first pairing of completely infatuated Kunekunes.  Agnes and Clarence are in LOVE!  This will be our first litter sired by Clarence and we are looking forward to producing piglets out of his unique bloodlines combined with the excellence of Agnes' representation of the breed. 

April ? Litter

<Matilda, our ginger and black Jenny sow, has been bred for the third and last time to our Tutaki boar Wendell.  These two Kunekunes have produced breeding stock for breeding programs in Ohio, New York, and Missiouri.  We have had the opportunity to observe their offspring into maturity and are very pleased with the results. 

Deposits of $250.00 are being accepted.

We will be posting all upcoming litters here. 

Please call or e-mail for more information about reserving a piglet from any of our litters.  We are confident that the KuneKune is a fantastic addition to any family, hobby farm, orchard, or animal enthusiast!!

KuneKunes are currently becoming more and more well known in the United States.  However, with limited breeding stock available and newly imported lines just beginning to be bred, they remain a novelty.

Black Valley Farm  is among the top three breeders in the USA.  Our herd includes eight of the ten available bloodlines, making it one of the most genetically diverse in the country.  With diverse genetics, every available color, and the ability to pair selectively from our large breeding herd, we are striving to produce Kunekunes true to the American Kunekune Association's Breed Standard. 

Black Valley farm reserves the right to reserve any piglet from our litters that we feel will further our breeding program.  As always, we will try our hardest to guarentee the satisfaction of our buyers!  With the ability to place our piglets with prospective buyers based on their specific needs, everyone is ensured to end up with a "perfect fit" pig. 

Breeders are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the lines available in the states.  Color and tassles are also important considerations.  Finding a local veterinarian to work with you who is familiar with swine and line breeding can prove quite helpful. For those just looking for a unique addition to the barnyard or family pet, things are much simpler!!  Throw genetics out the window...any KuneKune will prove a fantastic addition. 

We are currently waiting to receive our registration papers for some of the new lines we have added.  These will provide us with line names as well as "family trees" so to speak.  Check back, as we will update this information to be more specific...

Our foundation breeding stock:

Cornelius: Our first breeding boar to arrive at Black Valley Farm.  He is out of the "Andrew" boar line, cream colored and double wattled.  Cornelius is a striking example of the Kunekune breed.  His dramatic head and bulky conformation contribute to his masculine appearance.  Cornelius contributes significantly to our breeding program.

Agnes:  Is a black and white  "Jenny" gilt.  She was sired from a Te Whangi boar.  She is double wattled and has thrown entirely double wattled stock regardless of the sire.  Agnes was one of our homeliest piglets but has matured into a stunning sow that produces some of our most remarkable litters.

Wendell:   His line is "Tonganui'.  We were one of the first three breeders in the United States that offer this boar line.   A wonderful solid red with double tassles.  His diverse genetics are very important to our breeding program.  The piglets sired by this gentle giant have become the foundation stock for several breeding programs across the country.

Matilda:  A dainty ginger and black sow.  Also a "Jenny," she has no tassles.  Like Agnes, her sire is a Te Whangi.  We purchased Tillie for her wonderful coloring and gorgeous short snout. She is very petite and has a timid personality. 

Ramona:  A beautiful darker cream sow,  she was the first gilt to be bred here at Black Valley.  A "Rona" sow... 'Mona is a BEAUTIFUL Kune....everyone that visits is drawn to her.  When she looks up at you with her deep brown eyes you can't help but fall in love.  Piglets from her litters are usually reserved well in advance. She is unwattled but has thrown only wattled piglets that possess her pleasing aura and unmatchless temperment.

Allegheny:  This petite little gilt has a look all her own.  With the same gorgeous ginger and black coloring of Matilda she adds long wavy hair to our breeding program. Her very attentive personality is endearing and her mothering skills are the best in our herd.  Her litters produce gorgeous coloring and are some of the largest we produce. 

Rupert:  Registered as Rupert the Black, this special boar is from the Boris line.  Black Valley Farm has purchased one of the first two breeding Boris boars that Cyndi Berry of Kunekune Preserve has produced.    Deposits on his future litters were received before we even brought him home to Black Valley. We are now expecting our first litters from him. As he matures we are thrilled with his exemplary Kunekune appearence and his confidence as a breeding boar.  

Heritage:  Heritage is the first piglet that we have chosen to retain from our own breeding program.  Her dam is Ramona and her sire Wendell.  She is a solid ginger double tassled "Rona" gilt.  Her short snout and large ears are characteristics that are signiture of the breed. She shares her mother's gentle temperment and we are anticipating some very distinctive litters in the near future.

Caledonia:  We are simply thrilled to have the opportunity to add the "Rebecca Gina" line to our herd.  Recently imported by Susan Drake of Long Island New York, Caledonia is out of the first Rebecca Gina litter to be born in the USA.  She has beautiful conformation and semi lop ears.  Her beautifully full upturned snout is our favorite characteristic!  Caledonia is ginger with black markings.

Clarence:  Our handsome "Tutaki" boar is ginger and black.  He has such a unique look (like his sister Caledonia) with the semi lop ears and the longer hefty body.  We are looking forward to making Clarence a prominent breeding boar in our herd.  With only five other breeders offering this recently imported line we will produce some of the first breeding Tutaki boars for sale.

It is, nevertheless, a fact, that there is no more docile or tractable animal on a farm than a well-bred pig.  –Joseph Harris

I think we all as breeders would agree that our foremost goal as members of the American KuneKune Breeders Association is to produce quality breeding stock.  I would hope that it is safe to say as well, that anyone considering becoming a registered breeder also holds this goal as priority.

A Breed:  A group of animals that is consistent enough in type to be logically grouped together, and that when mated within the group reproduces the same type.  –Juliet Clutton-Brock,   A Natural History of Domesticated Mammals

Quality: A measure of excellence or a state of being free from defects, deficiencies, and significant variations, brought about by the strict and consistent adherence to a measurable and verifiable standard.

We originally intended for this blog to entail the different approaches to breeding—individual pairing, group mating, and multi-sire systems—as it main focus.  After approaching the subject from multiple angles I realized in order to take the subject seriously we must first discuss the motivating factor behind selective breeding in the first place.

To a certain degree, each individual breeder will develop a strategy for the specific combination of philosophies, situations, and goals that are unique to the herd he or she is breeding.  One of the most provocative attributes of our breed is the fact that Kunekunes are so easily tailored to such a wide array of enterprises….companion, pastured pork, orchard or vineyard gleaner, and to some simply the opportunity to make an investment in a recovering breed.  Once we have taken our personal aspirations within our herds into consideration we will all inevitably fall back on the question “What sets my pigs above all others in my sphere?” In answering this question correctly our Breed Standard comes into play. 

The goal of any breed standard is to help breeders visualize characters and traits that should be included as typical of a breed…  “Type” is very difficult to define, but includes all aspects that make breeds unique.  “Type traits” are those characteristics that set one breed apart from others in the same species.  The individual animals of any breed vary in “typiness”, which is the relative degree to which individuals express the type traits, and therefore represent the breed in its uniqueness within its species.  Animals that strongly express the breed type are generally referred to as “typey” and are difficult to misclassify into any breed but their own due to their expression of breed-specific characteristics.  Typey animals also have a subtle but important overall appearance that stamps them as not simply randomly bred…Breed type is the sum of physical, behavioral, and functional traits, and while these may not always relate directly to functional conformation, they do serve as important indications of the integrity of a breed’s genetic package.  –D. Phillip Sponenberg/Donald E. Bixby, Managing Breeds For a Secure Future Strategies for Breeders and Breed Associations

(The AKBA breed standard can be referenced on their website under SUBPAGES on the home page.)

Kunekunes are unique within their species.  Black Valley Farm, having no prior experience with swine, is still realizing the validity of this statement.  Our breed boasts extremes both physically and temperamentally.  There are of course subtle differences within the breed—even within our own herds.  As breeding stock matures and piglets are produced each breeder will develop an “eye” for what their breeding program will aspire for. 

In our last blog we discussed the history of bloodlines.  It is important when discussing and developing our breeding strategy to take into consideration that pairing what we feel to be our superior boar to our superior sow is not always the best option. Just as there are different approaches to the physical act of mating your pigs there are also various approaches to the philosophies of breeding.  I’m sure we have all heard the terms inbreeding, linebreeding, outcrossing, linecrossing, and crossbreeding. 

Inbreeding: The mating of first-degree relatives.  (offspring, parents, and siblings)

Linebreeding: The mating of related animals, but of less close relationship than first degree.  (aunt to nephew, grandparent to grandoffspring etc.)

Outcrossing:   The opposite of linebreeding. The mating of animals that are not related.

Linecrossing (subcategory of outcrossing):  The mating of unrelated animals from within the same breed.

Crossbreeding (subcategory of outcrossing): The mating of animals from two different breeds.

The practices of linebreeding, as well as inbreeding, are utilized to produce genetic uniformity in offspring, which turn produces homogeneity and predictability.  When coupled with positive selection and a trained eye, the result is a productive, predictable gene pool.  Too much genetic uniformity over time can however, result in loss of general vigor, loss of reproductive performance, and an expression of undesirable recessive traits.  This is where outcrossing comes into play.

Scenario:  Your herd includes two sows (Jenny/Andrew and Jenny/Te Whangi) and a boar (Andrew/Jenny). Depending on the exact pedigrees, you are either inbreeding or linebreeding.  In order to outcross and avoid the pitfalls of breeding too closely you would choose to either bring in a sow (Rona, Wilsons Gina, Rebecca Gina, Aria Giana) or boar (Tonganui, Boris, Tutaki, Mahia Love) of different lineage.  There are considerations for either choice. 

1.  Purchase a Rona sow.  You can now outcross her to your Andrew boar and produce either a Rona/Andrew or an Andrew/Rona that could in turn be breed back into your Andrew/Jenny, Jenny/Andrew, or Jenny/Te Whangi offspring. 

2.  Pruchase a Mahia Love boar.  You can now outcross your boar to either your Jenny/Andrew or Jenny/Te Whangi sow.  A Jenny/Mahia Love can be retained and bred back to your Andrew/Jenny boar.  A Mahia Love/Jenny boar could be retained and bred back to the other of your original sows.  By purchasing a boar rather than a sow your immediate options are broader by producing two outcrossed litters simultaneously. 

The deciding factor of this decision should be based both on the “typiness” of your present breeding stock as well as your breeding options.  Is your Andrew/Jenny boar the epitome of the Breed Standard?  Go with the sow.  Is your Jenny/Te Whangi sow the image you would like to see stamped on your entire herd?  Consider the boar.  Whichever the choice, bloodlines as well as conformation come into consideration on both sides. 

Bloodlines or strains within a breed are those subpopulations that have been isolated from one another for several generations (usually four or more) with the consequence that they are somewhat genetically distinct from the other bloodlines.—The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy

Now that we are considering more fully the proposition of breeding we will discuss three forms of pairing our pigs for mating… individual pairing, group mating, and multi-sire systems.

Individual pairing: The mating of one male and one female at a time.

Group mating: The placing of a single male to mate a group of several females.

Multi-sire systems: The placing of multiple males to mate either a single female or a group of females.

Black Valley Farm has utilized all of the above breeding techniques. 

There has been discussion among breeders whether to attribute Kunekune’s “breeding quirks” to either a breed characteristic or the long term results of close breeding practices.  Whichever your personal opinion, I think most experienced breeders can attest that immediate results are not always produced when pairing our pigs.   Sows can be staunchly particular about the boar that services them.

 Ideally one would be able to place the desired boar and sow together, wait for estrus to occur, witness a breeding and count 116 days for the expected litter.  This is not always the case.  I have personally shared with several breeders who were unsuccessful in mating their pairs for quite some time.  Black Valley Farm has shared in such woes.  There does exist within AKBA the experience necessary to assess the situation and offer proven advice for the desired results. 

Rather than go into lengthy detail on specific situations I will instead list some of the solutions that have granted successful results. 

1.  Kunekunes are docile in temperament and contented.  When housed together from a young age, the probability of complacency with one another does become a factor.  Separating males from females for a period of as little as a few weeks can prompt the desired response. 
2. Certain gilts approaching the age of sexual maturity but not displaying signs of estrus can be encouraged to begin their cycles.  An age old remedy shared by breeders and veterinarians alike is a short excursion.  Crate her up, take a leisurely drive, and deposit her with the desired boar in  unknown surroundings and, odds are, she will be more receptive to his advances.
3. In larger herds with multiple herd sires it is common to run boars together when not in use.  When introducing new, young, or inexperienced males into the herd environment it is not unheard of for certain boars to be at the bottom of the established “chain of command”.  When attempting to pair such a male with an older mature sow ranking high in her own herd she often tends to reject his timid advances.  There are several options if this is the case:
   1. If your dominant sow has become accustomed to being serviced by a particular boar, it is possible to station her preferred suitor on the opposite side of a fence line in the hopes that she will stand for him.   While he engages her attention the desired boar will be given the
   2. Choose an acceptable inexperienced gilt to pair with the boar and she will likely be receptive.  After breeding has occurred, and your boar has gained confidence, reacquaint him with the previous sow and he may display more authority.
   3. opportunity to service her.
   4. One multi-scenario solution is the placement of multiple boars with an unreceptive gilt/sow.  As we all know, swine have the capability of producing multi-sired litters so as a rule, unless producing litters where parentage is unimportant, breeders avoid multi-sire systems.   With the strict oversight of AKBA to insure the integrity of our breeding herd, DNA requirements allow us the advantage of employing this system to our advantage.  Multi-sired herds put selection pressure on male competition.

Without engaged and dedicated breeders, breeds lose their relevance in the agricultural landscape and risk being relegated to the status of trivial artifacts or face extinction. –D. Phillip Sponenberg/Donald E. Bixby, Managing Breeds for a Secure Future

As registered associates of The American Kunekune Breeders Association each of us has dedicated ourselves to maintaining the integrity of the Kunekune breed, as well as promoting their usefulness in multiple markets.  We each benefit personally by this relationship with a reputable breeders association as we are offered credibility and well as additional exposure.  Upholding registration requirements that surmount those of more common breeds, maintaining the “set” prices for our breeding stock, and striving to produce quality both conformationaly and genetically, provides us quite a platform for declaring the uniqueness of our breed. 

For those of you considering your own breeding program Lori Enright, President and Co-founder of AKBA has outlined the registration requirements for registering litters with AKBA.  Anyone purchasing breeding stock from an AKBA registered breeder can rest assured that their purchased Kunekunes have met these guidelines listed below:

1.  A Prefix, identifying name or abbreviation, must be registered with AKBA by application and fee.

6.  Registration is the sole responsibility of the breeder.  AKBA does not recognize paperwork coming from anyone but the breeder

Part 1:

Kunekune Bloodlines and their history in the United States…

The first importation of Kunekunes pigs into the United States was in 1995 by Katie Rigby of Abilene, Kansas.  They were imported directly from New Zealand, their country of origin, where the conservation of the breed first began.  Katie Rigby partnered directly with the New Zealand Kunekune (Breeders’) Association and had the approval of the Elders of the Maori people.  At a later time Rigby again visited New Zealand, accompanied by Gwin Stam of Jefferson, Oregon who partnered with her in bringing additional Kunekunes into the country.  Rigby retained most of the imported pigs, but some traveled later to Oregon to become the “West Coast Herd.”  Mrs. Stam later partnered with Pam Bell of Northern California and together they established a small breeding operation that mostly remained within the Pacific Northwest.  This herd has since died out. 

From The American Kunekune Breeders Association—Quote:
Rigby, being extremely protective of the breed, was very selective about who would get breeding animals and in more recent years, sold only spayed and neutered pigs to those she considered "qualified.”  Ms. Rigby was the founder of the now defunct "Kunekune Registry of the Americas" and "OINK" corporation.  In 2007, her herd consisting of purebred Kunekunes, Captain Cookers, Pot-bellied Pigs, and other breeds was sorted into three distinct groups.  Breeding Kunekunes were designated to go to two separate locations.  One group now resides in New York where Dawn Camp of Camp Skipping Pig selectively breeds and raises "pet" kunekune pigs.  The remaining purebred kunes went to "Kunekune Preserve USA" owned and operated by Cyndi Berry of Mt. Pleasant, North Carolina where the breeding program thoughtfully considers the conservation and improvement of the breed.

Thus entered the Tonganui, Boris, and Wairua boar lines, as well as the Rona and Wilsons Gina sow lines to the United States. 

In 2005 Lori Enright of Olde Reminisce Farms (at that time USA Kunekunes) traveled to Great Britain and purchased the foundation breeding stock for her future herd.  The entirety of the Enright’s first import was purchased from the British herd of Andy Case.  These four Kunekunes (two sows and two boars) would be the foundation stock for all breeding pigs sold in the USA until 2009.  One of the gilts included in the Enright’s import proved to be infertile and a litter would never be produced out of her line.  The Enrights were the first to freely sell breeding stock to the public.  Mr. and Mrs. Enright are the co-founders of the official breed registry in the United States, American KuneKune Breeders' Association established in 2006. 

Thus entered the Te Whangi and Andrew boar lines and the Jenny sow line. 

Cyndi Berry of Kunekune Preserve USA began registering her breeding bloodlines with The American Kunekune Breeders Association in 2009.  The same year she and Lori Enright negotiated a trade of pigs between their two breeding herds.  This was the first crossing of two closed Kunekune herds in the USA.  Cyndi Berry, being very protective of the breed’s future, had previously chosen to sell only spayed or neutered pigs.  After careful consideration, in 2009 Berry decided to sell breeding stock solely to breeders registered with AKBA.   Black Valley Farm was the first breeder to purchase breeding stock from Cyndi Berry, and in March of 2010 we brought home our Tonganui boar and Rona gilt.

*(Kunekune Preserve’s lines are traced directly to the imports of Katie Rigby from New Zealand and include the Tonganui and Boris boar lines as well as the Rona, and Wilsons Gina sow lines.  Olde Reminisce Farms’ (formerly USA Kunekunes) bloodlines can be directly traced to the British herd of Andy Case and include the Te Whangi and Andrew boar lines and the Jenny sow line.)

* Black Valley Farm, in recent years, has personally spoken with Dawn Camp of Camp Skipping Pig, about the possibility of obtaining her only remaining line—the Wairua boar line—that was not duplicated in Cyndi Berry’s herd.  Camp, like Rigby, was adamant that her pigs be sold solely as pets.  Under no condition was she willing to “contribute” to the “pollution” of breeders (AKBA registered breeders).  Camp’s firm belief is that the Kunekune breed should never be used as meat pigs or even be actively bred.  In the last few conversations I held with her,  she had decided it was her responsibility to let her lines die out.  Her concern was that the Kunekune’s fate in the United Sates would duplicate that of the Vietnamese Potbelly Pig. 

Since the Berry and Enright trade, and Black Valley Farm’s purchase, a dozen other breeders have developed/begun breeding programs utilizing both Berry’s and Enright’s bloodlines. 

In 2010 USA Kunekunes added an additional boar line—Mahia Love, and gilt line—Aria Giana.  These two Kunekune were imported directly from New Zealand along with others that the Enrights are working to obtain from the Northern California couple whom they partnered with to bring addtional lines into the United States.  This is the first importation from New Zealand since the Rigby imports of the 90s. 

In 2011, Susan Drake of Long Island Kunekunes imported (from Great Britain) a breeding pair of Kunekunes.  Their sow, being bred in quarantine, farrowed shortly after her arrival home to the Drake farm.  Producing the largest litter of piglets to date in the records of AKBA, her Rebecca Gina gilt produced ten piglets sired by her Tutaki boar.  Black Valley Farm was the first breeder to have the opportunity to meet Susan and her pigs in person, when in June of 2011 we traveled from Pennsylvania to Long Island to pick up our boar and gilt as well as a boar and gilt headed for Kunekune Preserve. 

Thus entered the Mahia Loveand Tutaki boar lines, and the Aria Giana and Rebecca Gina sow lines.

*(If you would like to learn about our visit with Susan Drake and see pictures of her pigs you can visit our blog at www.blackvalleyfarm.com).  Some discussion has begun to take place between breeders concerning the size of the Drake imports.  Having met Susan’s pigs in person, I can attest that they are indeed significantly larger than the Kunekune population already in the USA.  They do however display the normal characteristics of the Kunekune breed—dished face, short upturned snout, and wattles, accompanied by the traditional color variations and coat.  Unwilling to challenge the integrity of the British Kunekune Society, AKBA has decided to honor the registration of the Long Island Kunekunes pigs.  Black Valley Farm has discussed with various breeders who purchased from the first Drake litter, the conformation of their piglets.   Olde Reminisce Farms as well as Good Meadow Farm have decided not to include their Drake piglets as part of their breeding programs.  Black Valley Farm has already begun to utilize our Tutaki breeding boar and have plans to breed our Rebecca Gina gilt in February.  We feel that the Drake lines have just as much to offer the breed as the lines previously imported to the United States.  However, we will advise buyers of the possibility that piglets purchased from breedings including either of Drake’s lines have the potential of maturing at a larger rate and size.  For breeding programs utilizing the Kunekune for meat this could be looked at as an asset rather than a drawback; however breeders should keep in mind that Kunekunes are small swine and breeding for larger pigs is not upholding the true characteristics of the breed. 

This is a short outline of the history of the Kunekune breed in the United States as well as the bloodlines available.  All of the above facts can be elaborated on and different points of view can be obtained from the different individuals mentioned above.  If anyone has specific questions about bloodlines listed in any AKBA registered breeding program I would encourage you to contact that breeder directly.  As the Enright and Berry lines become more and more entwined each breeder has begun selectively pairing their pigs to produce the conformationally correct Kunekune that is stated in the AKBA Breed Standard. 

*Anyone desiring printed copies of the AKBA Breed Standard, for either personal use or distribution to the public, can contact AKBA or Black Valley Farm. 

Photos in order from top to bottom:

Solid black Boris boar.

Ginger and black Jenny sow.

Solid cream Rona sow with litter.

                                                                  Black and white Mahia Love boar.

                                                                  Ginger Tutaki boar.

                                                                  Ginger Tonganui boar and solid cream Andrew boar.

To begin:  Why are Kunekunes different than other breeds?  We could go many directions with this subject, but for now, we will talk specifically regarding the areas of size difference and their ability to graze. 

Size:  Kunekunes can range in weight anywhere from 80lbs to 240lb according to different sources.  According to the Kunekune Breed description in the book “Beautiful Pigs”—Portraits of fine breeds by Andy Case, boar weight varies between 110-132lbs, and a sow’s between 88-110lbs.  Kunekunes are between 18” and 26” high, with an average height of 24” according to “Traditional Pig Keeping”—Carol Harris. 

Compared to larger breeds such as: the Large Black, British Saddleback, Gloucestershire Old Spot, and Tamworth (that weigh in between the 300-400lb), Kunekunes are relatively half the size. 

Some of the advantages to keeping a smaller pig are; ease of handling, smaller housing facilities, and decreased feed allowances.  In the case of the Kunekune pig, the decrease in processed feed allowance is a strong point of interest. 

Their ability to graze:  One of the characteristics of the breed is their short up-turned nose.  This particular characteristic allows the pigs to graze and discourages the tendency to root up the earth.  Kunekunes will root somewhat, but nothing compared to the damage the Tamworth, for instance, would accomplish.  In our experience most rooting takes place in damp earth and during our wet spring months.  Our strategy has been to simply hand rake the upturned area, spread the desired seed over the bare ground, cover lightly with soiled bedding out of our barn, and within a few weeks the new grass has begun to grow.  If your pastures are well established and your soil is not constantly damp it is probable that no rooting will occur. 

We are currently grazing a herd of 20 odd pigs on approximately three to four acres.  Our pastures are well established and have easily maintained our pigs.  It would be feasible to estimate that we could double the size of our herd on the same acreage without compromising the life of our pasture. 

Kunekunes can literally fatten on pasture alone.  If you live in a climate where pasture is not available during the entire year it may become necessary to supplement over the dry or winter months.  There are numerous choices to consider such as milk, whey, spent grains form a local brewery… If raising your pigs for meat, the various choices will enhance the individual flavor of your pork.  Lori Enright of USA Kunekunes has fed brewery grains and we have experimented with both raw milk and whey.  This fall we purchased a Jersey calf with the intention of finishing our future meat pigs on our own raw milk. 

Anyone raising livestock realizes the expense of purchasing processed feed.  As the price of corn continues to rise, we are all feeling the added financial output.  For those of us looking to market pork as organic, the prices are usually double.  Our personal goal for next year is to solely pasture all of our pigs from March or April until November, with the exception of pregnant and lactating sows. 

This allows anyone looking into the breed whether for companionship, breeding, pork, or even an orchard or vineyard pig a very appealing point of interest.  Just think you can keep a Kunekune for less than you can a family dog.  (Think of the price of dog food.)

Black Valley Farm had the honor of hosting two events--a Field Day with PASA (Pennsylvania Association for Sustainable Agriculture), and the 1st Annual AKBA (American Kunekune Breeders Association) Conference. Over the course of these two days the Kunekune Breed took the spotlight... Rebecca Robinson of PASA titled August 26th "Niche Farming in Diverse Times: The Role of Kunekune Pigs on a New Livestock Farm"...  People traveled from various regions of our home state, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina, New York, and California.  The morning of the 26th started with a round of introductions that included what our visitors were hoping to discover about the Kunekune Breed.   Why is our breed different?  What does it have to offer that other breeds lack?  As the saying goes--Seeing is believing...  As we spent the day walking our pastures and interacting with our 20 odd Kunekunes of every age, size, and color we began to see others thrill to the opportunities that the Kunekune could offer each of them in their own farming environment.   Brian and I purchased our first breeding boar from Texas without even seeing a photo, and here we were, offering people the opportunity to see first hand just how amazingly endless the remarkable qualities of our breed truly are.  Ease of handling? Cornelius, our favorite breeding boar roamed the tent while we discussed conformation...Worried about agressive mothering?  Ramona grunted contentedly as we picked up and displayed her five day old piglets...Ability to be fattened on pasture?  We don't own any skinny Kunekunes.  Do they really not root?  Our audience will attest to the lack of damage our pasture sustains. 

Our goal for the two days was to extend the position that whatever your pursuit--companionship, pastured pork, even the simple ability to turn a profit-- we feel that our breed has a great deal to offer. 

Lori Enright, founder of AKBA and the first importer to the United States to freely offer breeding stock for sale to the public, lended authority and passion to the theme of both days.  Her passion for the breed, combined with her unchallenged knowledge of Kunekune husbandry, along with her pioneer venture into the meat market allowed her to share with those who were able to attend a wealth of knowledge not easy to come by for new and perspective breeders.

Cyndi Berry of Kunekune Preserve has generously offered the once out of reach lines imported in 1995 to registered breeders accross the country.  To honor her commitment to the future of the breed Lori Enright presented her with the Patron of Porcine Award.  Having met in person for the first time it was a tender moment for both.

At the end of our time we felt confident that we were able to kindle an interest in a breed that allows the small farmer the  opportunity to expand their pursuits in whichever direction they care to follow.  As many of you know, the market for pastured pork is expanding, the general public is beginning to show a desire to slowly shift into self sufficiency, hard times are urging us to seek out new opportunities for financial independence... Black Valley Farm encourages you to take a look at the Kunekune breed.  (Or in our case we had to take a second look before venturing in.)

We cannot adequately convey our gratitude for those who braved the weather of hurrican Irene to attend the 1st Annual AKBA conference.  Our group, though small, demonstrated the mutual enthusiasm of breeders accross the country  that we have a breed with potential and are ready and willing to sacrifice to allow others the chance to participate in the rewarding experience of Kunekune husbandry. 

I've lived in Bedford County, with the exclusion of a few side ventures, my entire life.  It is refreshing to walk the strees of downtown and see storefronts full of antiques, trendy menus, and attractive galleries.  It's also satisfying to be able to contribute to the "modernization" of our county.  People's eyes lit up as they looked over the posters that I offered for display.  That is what Brian and I are looking for!  Yes we're FARMERS...but hey, get that picture of your Grandpa out of your head.

On August 26th it is our plan to share with people, along with PASA, the thrill of finding your niche.  It's time for young, enthusiastic, healthy (and yes, it's now hip to be healthy), MODERN people to realize that agriculture is not a pursuit of the past. Take a trip to The Bedford Springs to grab a bite for lunch and see that The Tavern displays, with pride, that Hidden Hills Dairy  provided the cheese for this or that dish, and so-and-so produced this or that for that one.  Local is "IN"!  If elite resorts are looking for local, well--you want to express your individuality?  Having a hard time finding that creative outlet?  Take a second look at the world of agriculture and the myriads of products it encircles.

August 26th and 27th we would be honored to share with you our farm--Black Valley Farm.  We've got big plans for our future, we're on our way to where we want to go.  Let us share with you what's made it possible for us to pursue our agricultural ambitions. Come chat with PASA representatives, ask Lori Enright, President of The American Kunekune Breeders Association, the difference between soft and hard fat on a carcass---She just provided a Kunekune to Cochon 555...  Want to find out about our breed of pigs and all the directions you can take them? Come and talk to breeders from California, North Carolina, Maryland, New York, and Michigan... Meet Cathy Soult, an amazing woman that runs a raw milk goat dairy solo! 

If for no other reason, just come be curious!  Hold some week old pigelts, trim some goat hooves, try your hand at juding pig conformation, enjoy lunch from Green Harvest, VISIT the sustainable agriculture of  OUR generation.

Visit our  Events Calender under our main menu at www.blackvalleyfarm.com for information on registering for August 26th & 27th.

We are in the process of choosing mates for our does.  We have plans of breeding two, possibly three, of our does this fall.  Kids should begin to arrive around March.  Check back for updates as they become available.