Saddleback stars

KEEPERS of pedigree Saddleback pigs —even if you only have one— have their chance for recognition, as the breed society is celebrating its 50th anniversary with a herd competition. The aim is to gain an overview of numbers and quality and work out how best to conserve this delightful breed, which has a uniform white belt around its middle. It’s an amalgamation of the Improved Essex and Wessex Saddleback and owes its existence to Lord Western, who spotted some Neapolitan boars when on a Grand Tour and thought they would be a good cross with his Essex sows.

Latest figures show a UK total of 532 sows, which puts the breed into the ‘at risk’ category on the Rare Breeds Survival Trust’s watchlist. To enter your pig, email admin@saddlebacks.org.uk. KG