Hoya Wessex Saddleback Bloodlines

History in Australia:

·     Wessex Saddleback Pigs were named after their county of origin "Wessex" an Anglo-Saxon kingdom containing Hampshire, Dorset, Wiltshire and Somerset reflecting the ancient heritage of this breed.

·     As a consequence, the Wessex Saddleback was adapted to foraging the forests of the time (including the New Forest) eating windfall nuts and berries.

·     It is a large rangy flop eared pigs that does not dig much compared to modern breeds.

·     The characteristic white belt and floppy ears are also strong characteristics of the breed. The breed is known for its very docile nature and good mothering ability

·     Wessex Saddlebacks are genetically adapted to a calorie restricted lifestyle and so is likely to run to fat if kept in traditional piggeries.

·     When kept in free-range foraging conditions however, the carcase is lean with excellent flavour that is incomparable to modern breeds and lends itself to bacon and chartusserie.

·     The Neapolitan Pig was introduced to England from China in the late 1800's and was crossbreed with the Wessex Saddlebacks to produce the Essex Saddleback which was more compatible with modern farming methods

·     Fortunately, the Wessex saddleback was introduced to Australia and New Zealand and continues to survive here.

·     The Wessex Saddleback is now extinct in its Native Britain

·     History of  Wessex Saddleback  into Australia and New Zealand

      Mr Forster of Oxford New Zealand is recorded as having imported white-shouldered pigs from England around the end of the nineteenth century (1890).

    In 1905 a Mr Hardcastle from Canterbury New Zealand described black pigs with white stripe over the shoulder being plentiful in the local forests

1931 Wessex Saddleback Pigs were imported by Mr R.Turpen, from Queensland, Australia.

1931 & 1953 The A.P.B.A herd book records 17 Wessex Saddleback Pigs imported from England.o     1963 and 1970 – Wessex Saddleback Pigs imported from New Zealand

·     In Australia in 2008 there are less than 100 registered breeding sows, and they are considered endangered by the "Rare Breeds Trust of Australia

·     The breed has been kept alive in Australia by the small backyard breeder

·     Some notable breeders in recent years have been

            Mandy Fleming  

            Katy Brown

Wessex Saddlebacks are tradionally named after their sire if male or dam if female. The rest of thier name is made up of the stud (prefix) year letter (K for 2021) and number starting from 1 for the first piglet of the year.

Hoya Bloodlines

Sow lines

Lass

Lucy

Mary

Sunset

Boar Lines

Satellite

Carl