Congratulations Fernleigh Farms!
Congratulations Fiona Chambers from Fernleigh Farms.
Fernleigh Free Range is the first piggery to become
accredited under the new FRPFA Standard.
Visit Fiona at Fernleigh
Farms
Does Free Range Pork Taste any Better?
Contributed by Lee McCosker
Some things just cannot be tested reliably with science
alone. I have read some rather biased reports on this
subject that would have us believe that there is no
difference in the taste between free range pork and that
grown under intensive conditions.
Last weekend I had the opportunity to put this matter to
the test. I attended a two day event that showcased local
businesses in our region. Before the event, Melanda Park
Free Range was featured in a Newspaper article in which I
had made the statement "pork as it used to
taste"
To enable people to try our pork for themselves and let
them be the judge, we offered sausage and smallgoods
tastings and hot roast pork rolls for sale. There is no
way I expected, or could even have imagined, the reaction
from people over that weekend. I was blown away!
The first day we sold out of everything by 1 pm!. So many
returning for seconds and thirds all exclaiming that pork
was the most delicious they had ever tasted. On the second
day we doubled the number of roasts and still we sold out.
People had attended the event again just to come and have
a pork roll for lunch.
I was heartened by some elderly ladies that annouced they
were there because of my claim that our pork tasted the
way it used to and they would be the best ones to be the
judge of that. And the verdict? Delicious! just as they
remembered it to taste before intensive piggeries became
standard practice. They would now be buying pork again!
It certainly didnt end there. All this wonderful feedback
translated in to enquiries from butchers up to 100kms
away, from local restaurants and increased sales with our
local supplier. People were that impressed.
So, does free range pork taste any better?
It certainly does!
The Model Code of Practice
The Primary Industry Ministerial Council has endorsed the
new Model Code of Practice for the Welfare of Animals -
Pigs.
Over time, there will be some changes to be made to the
intensive industry, but sow stalls will remain in use as
will gestation crates or farrowing crates.
Sow stalls will eventually have to be increased in size
and the sow will be limited to spending 6 weeks in these
conditions. But, for the next ten years, the time frame
given to impliment these changes, sows will continue to be
allowed to be held in stalls for their entire 16 week
pregnancy.
For most people receiving this newsletter, it is not the
outcome hoped for. You can still make a difference if you
wish, never underestimate the power of personal choice.
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Interesting Facts
Did you know that the average pig can squeal from 100 -
115 decibels?!
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