TAMWORTH ORIGIN AND HISTORY
The Tamworth originated in Ireland where they were known as “Irish Grazers”, being given that name due to the fact that they were such wonderful foragers. About 1812 Sir Robert Peel, being impressed with the characteristic of these hogs imported some of them to his estate at Tamworth, England. It is from this place they derived their name. An English authority, who calls it the “Mahogany” or “Grizzly” pig, says it was extensively bred in several of the midland counties of England early in the nineteenth century. When the droves were mainly kept in the woods and forests. They are not a composite breed, and are thought by many to be one of the oldest and purest breeds in Britain.
THE TAMWORTH BEFORE IMPROVEMENT
They were long of limb, long in the snout and flat in the rib. They were active, hardy, good rustlers, and very prolific, but they were slow feeders and late in maturing.
THE IMPROVEMENT OF TAMWORTHS
This has been almost entirely effected through selection, judicious breeding, and management. It is now pretty generally conceded that the blood of other breeds has not been used to any extent in the improvement of Tamworths. Tamworths have been used in developing other breeds in the United States.
WHEN IMPROVEMENT WAS EFFECTED
They appear to have been improved to a considerable extent before the middle of the 19th Century, as they were given First Honors at the Royal Agricultural Society’s Show when competing with large breeds as early as 1847. But subsequent to this period they sank into obscurity, and were only known in some local districts. About 1877 a demand grew up for more hogs of the bacon type, and breeders of Tamworths brought their favorites to the front in England.
THE FIRST TAMWORTHS IN THE UNITED STATES
The first Tamworths in the United States were those imported by Thomas Bennett of Rossville,Illinois in 1882. In the following decade, Tamworths were also imported into Canada and the breed gradually became known in both countries. The Tamworth has two characteristics for which it was entitled to preeminence; i.e.; an unusual proportion of lean meat, and large litters of pigs; also that Tamworths will make as many pounds of gain, largely lean meat, from a given weight of feed as will hogs of any other breed. From these early imports, the Colorado agricultural College’s three year farm average for all sows was ten live pigs to a litter. A two-year old sow weighing 750 pounds had 18 live pigs at one farrowing, and a Tamworth at the Iowa Agricultural College raised 33 pigs in one year.
ORGANIZATION
Tamworth Swine are protected by registration in Great Britain, the United States and Canada. The American Tamworth Swine Record Association was organized in 1897.
TAMWORTH SWINE ASSOCIATION
If you are thinking of buying some pigs for
the family farm or to do Farmer’s Markets with good tasting meat, BETTER GIVE TAMS A TRY!
TAMWORTH INFORMATION:
• The National Tamworth Association is busy promoting our great grazer hogs and they are the best tasting meat for the Farm Markets. They are recognized for their great taste at these markets.
• Tamworths are super hogs for the small scale farmer, as they don’t require an expensive set up and can make do with older facilities. They can farrow outside except in extreme cold. Some bedding and a shed will do.
• Tamworths have a really nice to watch as they run and play.
• We registered over 200 litters and 1535 pigs this past year—many of whom went to 4-H club members for county shows and state fairs. Tamworths have breeders in several states.
• The National Tamworth Type Conference will be held September 1st & 2nd this year at Greencastle, IN. We have attendees from several states.
• There were approximately 100 head entered in our last National Show & Sale.
The show this year will be at 12:00 noon on Sunday to give more time between the end of the show and the start of the sale. Entries must be at the fairground by 5 p.m. on Saturday.
If you can’t make it by Noon on Sunday, please call David LaFollette and let him help you to make plans. Remember January pigs can be in the Jr. Champion classes if they were so shown at their State Fairs. Motion made that if you are selling a boar in the sale that isn’t a Junior Champion, you must bring a gilt to sell also. — You do not have to bring a boar to sell a gilt in the show or sale. Junior members may sell a gilt without selling a boar. Each member may sell 10 pigs—2 boars and 8 gilts. We wanted everyone to know we would like to have you join us for the National Tamworth Type Conference show and sale this year.
REMEMBER—SEPTEMBER 1st & 2nd—Greencastle, Indiana. Banquet at 6:30pm this year.
Annual Meeting & Banquet Saturday September 1st — Putnam Inn Restaurant
SHOW & SALE Sunday September 2nd — Putnam County Fairgrounds
US 231 North, Greencastle, IN
The Tamworth Swine Association will hold the Annual Meeting & Banquet on Saturday, September 1st at the Putnam Inn Restaurant with Social Hour 6:00—6:30pm, followed by Dinner at 6:30pm. The following day, the Show & Sale will take place beginning at 12 noon concluding with the sale at 5:00pm. The Show & Sale will take place at the Putnam County Fairgrounds, US 231 North, Greencastle, Indiana.
Motels: College Castle Motel, 231 South, Greencastle, Indiana (765) 653-4167.
For information, contact Shirley R. Brattain, Secretary, 621 N 850 W, Greencastle, IN 46135-7771 Tel: (765) 653-4913 • Email: SALE@TamworthSwine.org
Look for the latest news and updates at www.TamworthSwine.org
If you plan to attend, please let us know if you are coming by August 15th so we may have a pen room available.
Remember, the gilt you show in the Junior Show may not be shown in the regular
Type Conference Show. Pigs shown in the Junior Show are not to be sold.
