Category: Berkshire Pigs

Rendering Lard at Briden Farm

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Rendered Lard

One of the side products that comes from processing Pork from Pigs is the fat! Using that Pork Fat to make Lard, or Render Lard, as it’s called, is very rewarding! While you may think it’s unhealthy…

Alton Brown, host of the Iron Chef, may disagree!
(Watch the Video on the Food Network

In fact Prevention.com says…   

“While there are a few dissenters in the ranks, most of the experts we spoke with say lard doesn’t deserve its bad rap—and can actually be a healthier fat than other options, especially for some kinds of cooking.”

The Site Hampshire.edu goes deeper into what some of the healthy benefits are…

“Compared to conventionally-raised pork, pasture-raised pork has:

2.4x more omega-3 fats 

60% lower omega-6: omega-3 ratio

1.3x higher poly- unsaturated: saturated fats

8% higher protein

2x more vitamin E “

So, by now you may be asking, but what about Crisco? 
really glad you asked… Read TheConversation.com

Anyway, suffice to say, the Taste alone that comes from Foods, especially Baked Goods, made from Lard, especially Lard rendered from Woodland Pastured Berkshire Pigs like we have here at Briden Farm, is incredible! 

So, let’s take a look at how we make Lard… 

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Introducing and Breeding Pigs for the First Time

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Introducing and Breeding Pigs.

It was quite a day! As is often the way with Farming, it didn’t all go as planned or expected, but it did go well. Most of it anyway! This is the second time in about a week we’ve introduced new Pigs. First the three little ones, Elvis, Jack, and Babe to Lara. That went quite well, a little biting and a few squeals, but nothing serious. Now a week later Lara who is about 11 months old has pretty well adopted the three little ones who are about 4 months or so and weigh less than half Her weight. 

At first, when we got the little ones, earlier this Fall, we’d hoped Elvis or Jack would be big enough to breed Lara, but they’re not. Not even close actually! Anyway, the first introduction went well. 

So, knowing we wanted to breed Lara, but also knowing the little.boars we’re to little to do the job, we got Eugene. Eugene is a Managalisa cross who we’ve had just a few days. We put him in what was Lara’s stall in the barn. Kept him the for a few days, while we got used to each other. He’s very tame, quite friendly, and was well raised. Yet, only about half Lara’s size! 

So, wasn’t sure how the introduction or the potential breeding would go!?

I certainly put myself out there in these videos! Showing, embarrassingly so, how green I really am! However, as you’ve seen in this video series, and especially when the three little pigs come to the right side of the fencing when I needed them to shows how much work and training we invest into them! I have really come to enjoy raising pigs. 

If you’d like to come see our Pigs, and other Critters, contact Brian to Book Your Farm Tour at Briden Farm. 902-907-0770