Hale Land & Livestock
We're a small but growing family ranch located in Mackay, Idaho along the Big Lost River. We raise heritage breed Hogs naturally on pasture without antibiotics. Our breeds of choice are Berkshire and Large Black Hogs with the recent addition of some Mangalistas. We go beyond organic standards for raising our hogs. We don't use any chemicals on our pastures. Our animals are raised at a level 4 GAP standard. To maintain the health of our herd we use rotational grazing and low stocking numbers. We also use garlic, rosemary and pumpkin seeds to assist in warding off any parasites.
1. Better Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acid ratios. Compared to conventionally-raised pork, pasture raised pork has significantly better Omega-3 to Omega-6 fatty acid ratios. According to a study conducted by South Dakota State University, 100% grain-fed pork had the highest omega-6:3 ratio at 13.84, while the 100% pasture-raised (no grain) pork had the lowest omega-6:3 ratio at 5.15. A large portion of the healthy fats come directly from their diet, which means anything they can get their snouts into: roots, grass, leaves, grubs, nuts, fruit, and insects.
2. Higher levels of Vitamin E, Selenium, and Vitamin D. Amazingly, pigs raised on pasture have 300 percent more vitamin E and 74 percent more selenium (a vital antioxidant) in their milk than pigs raised in confinement, according to Don C. Mahan Professor of Animal Sciences at Ohio State University. Additionally, pastured pigs have significantly higher Vitamin D levels.
3. Reduces inflammation. According to Loren Cordain, “Because pigs are monogastric animals (single stomach), they have the ability to convert vegetable and plant 18 carbon fatty acids (ALA) to the 20 and 22 carbon fatty acids (EPA and DHA) which reduce inflammation, reduce cardiovascular disease and promote good health for us all when we eat pork. Free ranging pork contains higher concentrations of these beneficial fatty acids than are found in their feed lot produced counterparts.”
4. Healthy fats promote skin, hair, and brain health. Getting enough healthy fats is extremely important for our health. Did you know that every single cell in the body contains saturated animal fat? Most of the human brain is composed of fat! That's how important it is! In the fat of the animal contain the essential fat soluble vitamins: Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Vitamin E, and Vitamin K2 which are essential for hair, skin, nail, and brain health and development.
5. Lower risk of disease. Because of the close quarters the animals live in, diseases can spread rapidly through the herd or flock in conventional-style factory farms. Studies estimate that half of the beef and poultry produced in the U.S. is infected with staph bacteria, which is linked to a number of human diseases. However, pasture raised beef, pork, and other meats are safer and less likely to spread e coli, staph or salmonella bacteria. This type of meat also provides the amazing health benefits listed above that can protect against obesity and diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
*exact weight will be adjusted on delivery day.
