This second set of pigs are progressing along just as well as our first set last summer. The differences in weights may force us to change the date of processing, though. The weights are coming in where are heaviest hog is looking about three weeks older than the smallest. Granted, Number 6’s pronouns are he/him, and Number 2’s pronouns are she/her. That is what I was old. I don’t want to get in trouble for misgendering. They share the same bathroom anyway, and everyone is pretty comfortable with that.

Number 6 is the hog in the picture. He is coming in over 200 pounds, and I believe he will make 280 before the May 11th processing date. Number 4 (she/her if we are keeping track) is only slightly less than him… maybe ten pounds less. So, I think Numbers 4 and 6 will be taking a trip to Summersville earlier than May 11. Number 2 and 5 may not quite make 280, but they will be close by May 11 and Number 1 and 3 should be around 290 pounds. Depending on the cut-sheet choices, this should yield in the ball park of 250-275 pounds of meat in the freezer for those whose hogs we are raising. Not taking the fat/lard from the hog will definitely reduce the weight. We got 14 lbs of fat last time from a 311 pound barrow that I turned into a few gallons of spectacular lard for all sorts of things. I’ll try to remember to write about a new use for lard that came into play several days ago.

I hope everyone is getting anxious for their pork, which I believe should be ready for pickup by the end of May!