.01
about us
Trausmawr Trotters & Co is based at Pentwyn Farm (meaning 'top of the hill' in Welsh) a 17th century farmhouse which has been owned by us, the Smith family, since 1989. Situated in the green belt between Newport and Cwmbran and bordered by the Brecon and Monmouthshire canal, Pentwyn Farm is conveniently situated 10mins from J26 of the M4 motorway.
Although we are only a small scale, pedigree breeders and meat producer we are passionate about our rare breed livestock.
The promotion of animal welfare, the conservation of our traditional breeds and encouraging the public to support local producers is at the heart of what we strive for.
We at Trotters & Co strongly believe in given our animals the care, attention and environment that our animals deserve. Therefore, as a family we are supporters of The Large Black Pig Breeders club & The Usk Farmers Club & Porc Blasus.
One of our big passions is showing our pigs. This gives us the opportunity to showcase our rare breeds to the general public.
Speaking to people who are interested in where their food comes from & the issues which surround the Welsh farming industry; promoting our pigs, geese and goats and chatting about the high standard of welfare and the sustainability we provide form all of our herd and flock are the more enjoyable aspects of showing.
“Passionate about pork, passionate about food”
is the heart of our ethos.
.02
Our Trotters & Co
Large Black Pigs
The Large Black pig, as it's name suggests, is Britain's only all black pig. According to the Large Black Pig Breeders Club, the large black is "one of this country's oldest pig breeds and has its origins in the Old English Hog of the 16th & 17th centuries". Also the large black is a hardy, friendly and docile breed of pig making them ideal for novice pig keepers and those favouring outdoor systems.
Decline in numbers
Like many of our Traditional British pig breeds, the Large Black has witnessed a decline in registered pigs numbers. Therefore, the Large Black is now one of the UKs rarest breeds of pig and currently stands as a category 3 (vulnerable) on the Rare Breed Survival Trust's 2014 watch list. As an active committee member of the Large Black Pig Breeders Club one of our aims is to ensure we retain as many of the different breeding lines as possible.
our breed lines
As breeders we work closely with the Large Black Pig Breeders club to identify declining lines. As such there is often a selection of different sow lines at Trausmawr Trotters & co. Currently we are working to increase the Grandeur, Larkspur and Warbler female lines. The BPA 2021 survey records only 8 registered sows producing litters in this year from the Doreen sow line and according to this same survey we are one of only 8 keepers of this bloodline in the UK.
about our pigs
We were fortunate enough to have won Supreme pig champion at the Royal Welsh spring fair and the Three Counties Show in 2016.
Typically, the Large Black sows make very good mothers with litter sizes averaging between 8- 12 piglets in young healthy sows. Fully grown, a sow will weigh around 300kg and take two years to reach full maturity.
welfare standards
All of our pigs are reared and grown on out of doors. That is to say they are free to roam 24 hours a day in an area more than capable of allowing them to exhibit all of their natural piggy behaviour.
The only exception to this rule would be our farrowing sows. They are brought indoors a week before birthing to prevent them farrowing outside. This ensures the piglets stay warm and safe from predators.
We keep our piglets inside until they are around 1week old. They then have the full use of the outside space set aside for our sows and piglets. All of our piglets are weaned at 8 weeks and are kept together in the same family litter until matured. Pigs are naturally a herd animal and prefer to live in small family groups. Even our breeding sows form bonds and when not farrowing will live in pairs.
why outdoor reared?
Due to their color, Large Blacks suffer less from sunburn making them an ideal choice for those wishing to establish outdoor reared pork. A pigs natural instinct is to root and furrow the ground. allowing our pigs the opportunity to exhibit their natural behavior and instinct is important to us. Stressed, unhappy pigs produce inferior quality meat.
All round meat pig
The efficiency with which they convert low quality feed into pork of high quality, makes the Large Black an ideal pig for out-door producers. Despite its black skin the Large Black actually kills out with white flesh. Characterised by their lop ears and long deep body, the Large black makes an excellent all round pork pig but as a bacon pig, this breed excels.
Large Black Pork
Nothing comes close to slow grown outdoor reared pork for taste.
All of our meat pigs are reared slowly. which means they are brought to meat weight gradually using a cereal based feed made up of rolled wheat and barley, soya bean and beet. This feed together with the natural forage gives our pork a depth of flavour difficult to achieve in commercial indoor reared pigs.
.03
Trotters Stock for sale
£45.00
Weaners
6-8 week old piglets ready to bring on to meat
£50.00 per sow
Breeding Boar Hire (both proven)
Trausmawr Majestic (Aneurin) born 01/09/2020
Trausmawr Majestic II (Little Maj) born o2/011/21
£80.00
porkers
Older pigs almost at finished weight
£12.00-20.00
Geese
pilgrim cross goslings available from May.
Or to reserve a Goose ready for Christmas as a dressed bird. please see our store page
£120.00-£250.00
Registered Breeding stock Gilts
Weaners - £120.00
Trausmawr Doreen
Trausmawr Matilda
Trausmawr Grandeur
Truasmawr Warbler
Trausmawr Larkspur
If you are interested in any of these lines for breeding please drop us a line to be added to the enquiry list.
£TBC
Golden Gurnsey Goats
Our first kids will be available in the new year