The Gloucestershire Old Spots Pig Breeders' Club was formed 21 years ago, and the fortunes of the breed have improved steadily since then. The sows have at least 14 well placed teats. But it is believed that the breed was likely based on two pig breeds- the unimproved Berkshire and the original Gloucestershire pig which was large in size, had wattle and of off-white color and was without spots. Its white coat has large clearly defined black spots. Gloucestershire Old Spot Pig. Red Group. Exact origins of the breed are not known. 338 likes. GOSA Registered Pigs Registered Breeding Stock is $350. GOSA promotes the GOS herd population in the United States by supporting breeders, pork producers, small farmers, new farmers, chefs, University researchers, peer heritage breed conservancy's, and YOU. Welcome to GOSA (Gloucestershire Old Spots of America Inc): The founding breeders registry for GOS hogs in the United States. Gloucestershire Old Spots (Gretna, VA) $500. The Gloucestershire Old Spots pig is a very active and hardy breed of pig. Ethel Green Gro u p. Boar. These easy keeping qualities gave Gloucestershire Old Spots the nicknames “cottage pig” and “orchard pig.” British folklore claims the large black spots are bruises caused by the apples falling onto them as they foraged the orchard floors for food. The breed is known for its distinctive black spots, floppy ears, and ability to produce flavorful, succulent pork with generous fat and marbling. Those two pig breeds which were used to develop the Gloucestershire Old Spots pig are now extinct. This video is an excerpt from a Meatsmith Harvest Podcast number 10 in which Brandon and Lauren discuss all things heritage pigs. That makes a weaner £48 at 8 weeks and a maiden gilt ready for her first service £216 at nine months old. 180 lbs Since the beginning of the 20th century, this breed has been considered a pedigree breed. Matilda Green Group. It is suitable for both intensive and extensive pig farming system, but it is most suited for the extensive system. He talked – loudly – through the entire 7-hour drive home. The Gloucestershire Old Spots pig is an English breed of domestic pig which is named after the county of Gloucestershire. Sadly Gloucestershire Old Spots are currently at risk of extinction and if we are to stand a chance of bringing them back to mainstream livestock status it is essential that we support the breed. Gloucestershire Old Spots In October 2019, we brought the boer Basil (GOS + a dash of Saddleback), and his mates, pure GOS sisters Saffron and Ginger, onto the farm. The breed has a reputation as an excellent forager. They have head of long length with a slightly dished nose. I spoke with a few pig-experts and finally settled on a different breed that shared many of the same traits as a Large Black pig – Gloucestershire Old Spots. It is named after the county of Gloucestershire. The pigs represented each color group in the cyclic breeding system put in place by … Read more information about the breed below. Both of the old breeds used to develop the Old Spots are now extinct. However, review full breed profile of the Gloucestershire Old Spots pig in the following chart. A few years ago fashion called for only one or two spots but today breeders have decided that if you are going to have a spotted pig, then it should have more spots. The Gloucestershire Old Spots were originally brought to the U.S. in 1996. The remaining population nearly became extinct in the 1960s, though it has increased slowly since then. The Gloucestershire Old Spot is a hardy breed, and this trio prefers sleeping under the stars or under the protection of our Scottish pines, even more than in their shelter. The breed never became numerous in the United States, however, and was practically extinct by the 1990s. Gloucestershire Old Spots Piglets For Sale (Aromas) (watsonville) $150. Gloucestershire Old Spots is a heritage breed of pig from Gloucestershire county in England. $24.95, Storey's Illustrated Guide to Sheep, Goats, Cattle, and Pigs. The Gloucestershire Old Spots pig is a breed that is very ancient, even this breed is present in pictures.. At least for the time. Their shoulders are fine and not raised and their legs are strong and straight. Feeder pigs: 8-12 weeks old $ and over 12 weeks of age please call for price. The Gloucestershire Old Spot (GOS) is the oldest pedigreed spotted pig in the world, dating back to 1790. Docile. Currently the breed is on the ‘Critical‘ list by The Livestock Conservancy. It is very hardy and able to adjust with most conditions, and it has a reputation as an excellent forager. The Gloucestershire Old Spots pig is known for its docility, intelligence, and prolificacy. And noisy. The breed is also known for having a very gentle nature. Average Litter Size in 2009 was around 9.06 piglets and the breed is known for having good maternal instincts. The breed was developed in the Berkley Vale of Gloucestershire, England, during the 1800s. The Gloucestershire Old Spots is a heritage breed of pig and currently on the "Critical" List by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy meaning there are fewer than 200 annual registrations in the United States and estimated fewer than 2000 global population. The breed notably benefits from continued support of the British Royal Family who favors pork from these pigs for their table. The Gloucestershire Old Spots pig was once a very popular breed of pig in it’s native area. 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And average live body weight of the mature sows is around 227 kg. And before 1913, no other pedigree spotted breed was recorded. The Gloucestershire Old Spot is a hardy breed able to cope with most conditions. In recent years, selection has been towards less black and now only a spot or two are usually found. Its white coat has large clearly defined black spots. The animals are usually gentle in nature and have relatively good temperament. Currently we have four breeding herds: the Ossabaw Island Hog, the Gloucestershire Old Spot, a five-way Old-timey cross called the Farmer’s Hybrid (Paul Willis’ stock), and our very own best-seller the “Cross-a-baw”, a 50/50 Ossabaw/Farmer’s Hybrid. The black spot is a mandatory for the breed and there must be one spot on their body to be accepted in the registry. The pigs are thrifty, able to make a living from pasture and agricultural by products, such as whey from cheese making, windfall apples in orchards, and the residue from pressing cider. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Farmers of the Berkley Vale realized this plan threatened the very existence of their beloved local pig breed. The mature Gloucestershire Old Spots boars reach a mature weight of around 272 kg. It's an old English breed that is most known for it's white skin, black spots, floppy ears, calm demeanor, great maternal instincts, and grazing abilities. Sows. We knew we wanted better tasting meat from pasture raised pigs and these two were the … In 1913 the British Board of Agriculture announced a livestock development scheme that included the licensing of breeding boars. The breed’s maternal skills make it able to raise large litters of piglets on pasture. Their excellent maternal skills enable them to raise large litters of piglets on pasture. About Piggyback Ranch Piggyback Ranch is owned and operated by Greg and Hilary Smith. Subsequently, the Gloucestershire Old Spots Breed Society was formed in November of 1913 placing the breed among the oldest spotted pedigreed pig breeds known. Gloucestershire (pronounced Glostersheer) pigs were selected as excellent foragers and grazers. Being a heritage pig, the Old Spots are slow growers but they are known for amazing meat taste (lean meat) and vitamin D rich lard. GOS Pedigrees. The Gloucestershire Old Spots is a historic pig breed known for its distinctive white coat with black spots. The black spot is a mandatory for the breed and there must be one spot on their body to be accepted in the registry. The Gloucestershire Old Spots pigs are medium to large sized animals which are predominantly white in color with black spots. It is also known by some other names such as Gloucestershire Old Spot, Gloucester Old Spot, Gloucester, GOS, Orchard Pig, The Cottager’s Pig or simply Old Spots. A mature boar can weigh over 600 pounds and a mature sow, over 500 pounds or larger depending on age and food intake. The first pedigree records of pigs began in 1885, much later than it did for cattle, sheep and horses because the pig was a peasant’s animal, a scavenger and was never highly regarded. The Gloucestershire Old Spots are listed as threatened according to the Livestock Conservancy. A breed society was founded, and the number of animals is increasing. Temperament: Boars reach a mature weight of 600 lbs (136 kg) and sows 500 lbs (125 kg). The breeders group maintains a breed registry that assigns a particular color to each lineage. Our search for Zeke was conducted online through the Gloucestershire Old Spots breeders group marketplace. It is the largest and most effective such organisation and continues to … View in: Mobile 320 | Mobile 640 | Desktop The breed hit a high point in popularity in Great Britain just after World War 1 when the naturally large proportions of lean meat from Old Spots was perfectly suited for to the production of lean, streaky bacon that was fast becoming popular in Great Britain at this time. These 20 animals imported by Kelmscott Farms became the foundation animals for the breed in America. Photo and info from Wikipedia. Boar Piglets Born 1/28/21 in NC will transport UK Sow and US Boar GOS Dual Registered Litter Born on Jan 28, 2021. Its exact origins are not known, though it was likely based on two breeds – the original Gloucestershire pig which was large, off-white, had wattles and was without spots, and second, the unimproved Berkshire. They have lop ears which will cover almost the face of a mature pig and hand towards the nose. Gloucestershire old spots X duroc pigs. Its disposition and self sufficiency should make it attractive for farmers raising pasture pigs and those who want to add pigs to diversified operations. Arlo. The Gloucestershire Old Spots or simply “Old Spots” is an English breed of pig which is predominantly white with black spots. The pigs are white with clearly defined black (not blue) spots. Today, according to the BPA's most up-to-date conservation survey results, there are 1,627 registered sows (nearly 200 up on … Gloucestershire Old Spots (GOS) pigs are an endangered breed, dating to well before 1913 in the United Kingdom, at which time the Gloucestershire Old Spots Breed Society was established, using the term “old” to indicate the breed’s long history in the U.K. Gloucestershire Old Spots of America, Inc. 450 Hwy 1 W #222 Iowa City, Iowa 52246 email: president@gosamerica.org The Gloucestershire Old Spots (GOS) Breed Society was formed in 1913. The Gloucestershire Old Spot is a large meaty animal with a broad and deep body and large hams. The breed was developed in the Berkley Vale of Gloucestershire, England, during the 1800s. And currently there are fewer than 200 yearly registrations in the United States and estimated fewer than 2000 global population. Learn how your comment data is processed. Using the form below you can register new pigs or transfer registrations to the GOSPBU. They are an off-white color with randomly placed black spots and big floppy ears. 500 lbs (female), Hanging Weight: Threatened The Gloucestershire Old Spot is a large meaty animal with a broad and deep body and large hams. They have head of long length with a slightly dished nose. As of 2009, there are about less than 1000 Gloucestershire Old Spots in Great Britain and fewer than 200 breeding animals in the US. The Gloucestershire Old Spots is a black and white breed that is predominantly white in color. Old Spots reigned supreme as the pork of choice for discerning palates and in livestock shows through the 1920’s and early 1930’s. Lean meat The breed is well known for it’s good quality meat, and it is a dual purpose breed which is suitable for both pork and bacon production. In 1995, Kelmscott Farm Foundation of Lincolnville, Maine, organized an importation of twenty Gloucestershire piglets to reestablish the purebred population in America. The Gloucestershire Old Spots is a historic pig breed known for its distinctive white coat with black spots. There must be at least one spot on the body to be accepted in the registry. Storey's Illustrated Guide to Sheep, Goats, Cattle, and Pigs Gloucestershire Old Spot (GOS) Pigs We did a lot of research of heritage pigs before deciding to purchase two GOS gilts, LullaBelle and Daisy Mae in the Spring of 2014. A few years ago fashion called for only one or two spots but today breeders have decided that if you are going to have a spotted pig, then it should have more spots. Registrations and transfers are available to members of GOSPBU only (become a member here) and cost only $5.Litter registrations are for new pig litters and cost $7, regardless of the litter size. Gloucestershire Old Spots Pig | Breed Profile. The "Gloucester Old Spot" is also the name of a public house at Piff's Elm in Gloucestershire, while Uley Brewery has both an ale and a public house (in Dursley) named "Old Spot" after the pig.