Rare Breeds Survival Trust Chief Executive, Christopher Price, looks at how native pig breeds can act as ‘ecosystem engineers’ on a farm or holding without becoming ‘architects of destruction’.
Pigs are often known for their tendency to destroy or damage small enclosures. However, the UK’s native pig breeds can be highly beneficial in conservation grazing and regenerative systems due to their natural behaviours and ecological impacts. Utilising native breed pigs for conservation grazing can help restore or maintain eco systems, improve biodiversity, and help manage landscapes in ways that support the breed, the environment, and food production.
At the right density and in the right place, native pig breeds offer ample opportunities for conservation, regeneration and production. There are 11 pig breeds native to the UK, all of which are rare. Seven are categorised as ‘Priority’ breeds on the latest RBST Watchlist (the Berkshire, British Landrace, British Lop, Large Black (pictured), Large White, Middle White and Tamworth breeds) while the other four (the British Saddleback, Gloucestershire Old Spot, Oxford Sandy & Black and Welsh breeds) are categorised as ‘At Risk’.
There is a growing understanding of how native pigs can be managed to deliver ecological benefits, which can help support a more stable future for these irreplaceable breeds. The native pig breeds have been developed, in some cases over centuries, for UK environments and conditions. By harnessing their natural exploring, feeding and foraging behaviours, their keepers can see a range of ecological benefits on holdings of all sizes.
Native breed piglets tend to explore their environment by mouthing objects and rooting, and start to forage for food small items. Weaners use their snouts and mouths to explore textures, tastes, and smells, and demonstrate more complex foraging behaviours with rooting and searching becoming part of their feeding strategy.
Growers and finishers show peak exploration behaviour and may begin to root extensively for food. Exploration diminishes in adult pigs, however pigs that have access to an enriched environment will continue to explore new food sources, objects, and changes in their environment. They may engage less in foraging if food is provided in abundance, but they still retain those instincts when given the opportunity.
Picture caption: Large Blacks in woodland
This article extract was taken from the April 2025 edition of The Country Smallholder. To read the article in full, you can buy the issue here.
