Rennwood Hogs

Raising quality heritage hogs

for superior taste and health!

We began raising butcher hogs in 2020 and remain driven by the desire to produce the highest-quality, ethically raised, nutrient-dense meat possible for our family and for our customers.

Here are some key facts about our hog operation:

Our hogs are raised from traditional, non-industrial breeds known for superior flavor, marbling, and genetic diversity. While in previous years we have raised heritage breeds such as Duroc, Old Spot, and Hampshire, this year we are raising 100% Berkshire hogs which are considered one of the top heritage breeds, yielding an outstanding meat quality. The quality of the hog, combined with nutrient-rich, fermented feed, results in flavorful, tender pork with exceptional marbling.
Some of the key attributes of Berkshire meat:

  • Its dark red meat has a significant quantity of intramuscular fat distributed throughout the muscle, giving it a buttery and smooth texture while enhancing juiciness.
  • The marbling also contributes to its unique tenderness. The meat is juicy and succulent, making it a preferred choice for various cooking methods, including grilling, roasting, and braising.
  • Berkshire meat has a higher pH value, making it of better quality than other pork, as shown in a study by the Korean Society for Food Resource Science Animals.
  • The meat also has higher levels of minerals and vitamins, especially Magnesium and Potassium, than many other heritage hog breeds, as well as higher concentrations of inosine, histidine, leucine, valine, isoleucine, phenylalanine, and tyrosine.

We source our feed from a local mill (Luxemburg Feed Services), ensuring freshness and supporting sustainable, regional agriculture. This feed supports soil health and eco-friendly farming practices.

For the final 8-10 weeks, we add a steady supply of apples to the hogs’ diet. The apples come from Gilchrist Orchard in Buffalo, MN, a holistically run orchard, dedicated to providing superior-quality apples.
The rich dietary fiber of apples promotes healthy digestion and supports gut health, helping our hogs process nutrients efficiently and maintain balance. The essential vitamins and minerals of the apples are a nutritional boon as well. Vitamins A, C, and B-complex bolster skin health, immunity, and metabolism, while minerals like calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and potassium strengthen bones, support cell growth, and enhance nerve and muscle function.

This eliminates common allergens and industrial crops, reducing the risk of GMO contamination and promoting cleaner nutrition.
It also reduces potential allergens and inflammatory compounds in the meat itself, offering cleaner, nutrient-dense pork.

Our hogs’ feed is fermented for about 72 hours, enhancing nutrient bioavailability and digestibility; better gut health in the hogs leads to happier, healthier animals.
This “wet fermentation” method has been used for generations and is now gaining popularity again among dedicated farmers. The process is quite a bit more labor intensive compared to a standard dry-feeding method but the benefits speak for themselves.

Our hogs’ feed comes from a nearby mill, supporting the local economy and fostering community-based farming. Locally sourced, carefully crafted feed reflects our commitment to ethical, high-quality farming.

 

Sources:

Hog Order Contact Form

We are all sold out for 2025!
Please contact us below about a deposit for our 2026 hogs!

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