Eight Pietrain boars will be among the entries on offer at the 12th National Show and Sale of Native Breeds, taking place at Melton Mowbray Market on September 12/13.
The Pietrains will be among the 68 entries (20 boars and 48 sows/gilts) from British Pig Association (BPA) members that will be included in the pig section at the sale. Boars from the British Saddleback, Gloucester Old Spot, Hampshire, Tamworth and Welsh breeds will also be represented.
BPA chairman Guy Kiddy told Pig World that the sale would provide the ideal opportunity for commercial producers to buy boars from breeds considered useful terminal sires, but he acknowledged that the trade was under threat from new Red Tractor guidelines due to be introduced in October this year that will mean pigs taken to shows will have to be sent for slaughter immediately after the event.
“We know of pedigree breeders that have withdrawn from the Red Tractor scheme because of the new guidance,” he said. “We hope it won’t prevent Red Tractor members coming and buying this year as we have some modern-type boars entered that commercial herds could make good use of.”
The pig show at the event takes place at 3.00pm on Friday, September 12, where Julian Newth will be judging. Prizes include The Melton Mowbray Market Cup for the supreme champion, with £25 for breed champions and £15 for reserve breed champions. The sale takes place the following day.
Catalogues for the show and sale will be available for free online from Tuesday, August 26 via: www.meltonmowbraymarket.co.uk
Hard copies will available from September 1 by contacting the market office on 01664 562971 to make payment and arrange delivery.Â