Please help w/ Breeders

[laceynoelle]

Hey everyone, Im looking into buying a couple pigs to begin breeding for family use. The breeds Im considering are Duroc, Berkshire, large Black, and maybe Red Wattle.
With the Durocs, I couldnt find a breeder. I found a lot of people offering sperm from show pigs, but no actual breeders.
Berkshires-I found a breeder that I can drive to.
Large Black-I found a breeder, but I dont know if they'll ship a piglet. Its too far to drive to.
Red wattle-There are a couple breeders, but agian, not within driving distance.
Im looking for a breed that will offer me really good meat, and I want the ability to breed the sow(s) each year to have a continued supply. Im not worried about showing, but I do want purebreds. They can be registered or unregistered, it doesnt matter. Im looking for a breeder perferably in Nevada, California, or Oregon, or someone willing to ship. Does anyone know of a ranch that fits these descriptions?
For the more experienced people on here, could you please tell me which breed listed you think is better, and why? If you have another breed you think would suit me, Im open to suggestions.
Thank you!!

 

[kstaven]

If you are going to be grazing pigs I would personally go with a Berkshire. Hardy as all get out and will go through a canadian winter like nothing and not severely slow the growth patterns like other breeds. About 600 lbs mature.

This should help you locate a breeder. http://www.americanberkshire.com/Producers/producers Home_page.htm

 

[Royd Wood]

Yes Berks are a good choice and plenty of them around here go through a Canadian winter. ( ok ok I know a Niagara Falls winter is easy comp to Winnipeg )
We have Large Blacks who graze like cattle, very easy to handle, produce the most amazing pork and bacon, and deal with any type of weather. Check this out http://www.largeblackhogs.com/index.htm and http://largeblackhogassociation.org/

Our boar called Bob is just over a year old and is around 580 lb he's a gentle giant then theres Beryl, Barbra, Iggle and Piggle (no I dont do the naming around here)

 

[SuburbanFarmChic]

I would not recommend Durocs for cold or heat tolerance or for enjoying being a pasture pig. We refer to ours as our New Jersey Princess. She wants a danish for breakfast, a blankie when it's cold and air conditioning when it's warm and spends the rest of her time getting a mud pack spa treatment or thinking about boys. Her water had best be clean and cold at ALL times with the bucket in the right place too or she'll tell you about it. It takes her 30 min to make a new bed after we throw fresh bedding in there. She's a prissy nut job but she has BEAUTIFUL babies.

 

[Kenneth Flippen]

I have Berkshire boar and love him as well as my Hampshire boar the Berkshire crosses well with the Tamworth I'll be trying Durocs soon I recommend crossing if they're going to the table I bred my Tamworth/Berkshire sows to my Hampshire can't wait to see them. but do your homework on the individual pigs/breeder I've bought some that wasn't worth the time it took to go get them. make sure they grow good there's good and bad in them all I don't think you'll go wrong with any of your choices

 

[Stratmoore Farms]

If you are going to be grazing pigs I would personally go with a Berkshire. Hardy as all get out and will go through a canadian winter like nothing and not severely slow the growth patterns like other breeds. About 600 lbs mature.

This should help you locate a breeder. http://www.americanberkshire.com/Producers/producers Home_page.htm

Thanks for the link. I found a breeder almost in my backyard.