Russian Wild Boars

Russian Wild Boars AG WORLD Ag World 13-5-19 A Canadian wild game farmer says he's got the "first and only" purebred Russian wild boars in North America. "The difference between Russian wild boars and American wild boars is like the difference between night and day," says Peter Kalden of Gypsumville, Manitoba, who now runs 8 of the purebred wild boars along with his 100 American wild boars. The Russian boars have a narrower frame with higher shoulders and a much longer snout. The meat is much darker. Kalden says there's a strong market for wild boar meat because it's so low in fat. He sells directly to large retailers in Canadian cities as well to Europe where consumers are more familiar with such products. Although wild Russian boars can be ferocious if cornered, Kalden says they're generally easy to raise. When left on their own to forage their own feed they produce just one litter a year but when fed grain, they'll usually produce two litters with only about 4 piglets per litter. They take up to a full year to reach 200 lbs. and dress out at only about 60%. The animals sport big tusks but it takes about 5 years to grow a set. A full-grown boar reaches 500 to 600 lbs. Kalden plans to crossbreed the Russian animals with his American wild boars to produce an even leaner meat with better texture and taste. He'll also cross the boars with conventional domestic breeds, saying the low fat and hardiness of the animals should carry over to domestic animals. He bought his Russian boars in Sweden. Purebred Russian pigs sell for $1,000 apiece (Canadian). Crossbred Russian-American wild boars sell for $500. Contact FARM SHOW Followup, Davis Point Game Farms, St. Martin, Manitoba ROC 2T0 Canada (ph 204 659-2653).

To read the rest of this story, download this issue below or click here to register with your account number.