Why Berkshire?

      Why Willamette Berkshire?

   In the United States pork typically has been thought of as “the other white meat”.  Although; chefs, pork producers and processors have known for years that the Berkshire hog has always had a more red and richly marbled meat that frequently earns comparisons to Kobe beef by Japanese.  Known as “kurobuta”, Japanese for “black pig”, it is and has been a long time favorite of Japanese consumers and chefs.

   You may then ask; Why isn't the Berkshire better known and why is pork being marketed as "the other white meat?"  Commercial growers typically do not raise purebred Berkshires because of it being a heritage hog. Heritage hogs typically produce fewer pigs per litter than the "white meat", white commodity pigs. Berkshires also have slightly longer gestation periods and they can take longer to feed out to market weight. These factors increase the cost of overall production; therefore, the white breeds are used by US commercial producers and has thereby been marketed as "the other white meat."

   So you may simply say "why should we care?"  We all know when we have a poor steak, or a product of any kind that doesn't last like we expect it should.  The same holds true for pork. If you care about the quality, you'll notice a difference. The Berkshire breed has proven repeatedly by earning top marks for ultimate pH, total lipids, low cook loss, juiciness and tenderness; thereby out performing the "white meats" in being a more favorable product.

Our Guarantee!

All of our Berkshires are registered with the American Berkshire Association assuring you that our hogs are simply Pure Berk.

QUALITY

Raising Berkshire pigs is the reason Willamette Berkshire exists. We want to bring you quality pork every time. To do so it takes some basic but not always appreciated steps. Starting with humane farming practices; from good husbandary to providing quality feed (no hormones), then to the oversight of the animals growth and finish for assurance of the finest product offered.

FLAVOR

Berkshire pork gets its flavor from being a heirloom breed.  Berkshire pork is one of the oldest breeds in existence today and is raised for the meat’s flavor, distinctive color and marbling. Traits that make Berkshire pork; tender, juicy, and flavorful.

LOCALLY GROWN

Locally owned, locally raised, you can feel certain that the rewards of our work are passed directly to you.  We can assure you as our customer, that our producers raise all Berkshire pork without antibiotics, hormones and animal byproducts.

SUSTAINABLE

Humane animal husbandry and earth-friendly production practices ensure ecologically sustainable farms.   As producers of Willamette Berkshire, we pride ourselves in setting standards of care of our animals and property. A standard recognized internationally that all of our Berkshire hogs are registered with the American Berkshire Association.  They are "Pure Berk!"