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Wild Boar

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General

Interest in wild boar production has been generated by the market for `exotic' foods in the UK and in France.

The European wild boar (Sus Scrofa Scrofa) still roams freely in Europe, but in the UK are only found in zoos and animal parks, although an increasing number are being reared for meat by private breeders. There are now about 100 farms (about 30 in Scotland) in the UK with approximately 2,000 breeding sows.

There are two systems of production: breeding pure wild boar or cross-breeeding with domestic breeds. Pure wild boar are seasonal rutting between October and November and farrowing between February and May, usually producing only one litter of 5-7 piglets per year. Cross-breeding leads to larger litter sizes and two litters per year, but the meat loses its distinctive gamey flavour and may contravene the Trades Description Act. Sows are usually kept in woods or fields or in buildings with access to run-out. They are fed on a mix of cereals with ad lib vegetables and other feeds.

Young sows produce 2-3 boarlets and mature sows 6-10. Boarlets are weaned at 8-14 weeks on to ad lib vegetables, supplemented by grower ration reaching slaughter weight at 75-85 kg by 9-12 months (65% KO). The British Wild Boar Association (BWBA) has launched a quality assurance scheme with the backing of the Meat and Livestock Commission.

Please remember that special consideration must be given to the VAT aspects of diversification as the new activity may not be treated the same as the existing farm business from a VAT standpoint.

Market

The meat is noted for its leanness, gamey flavour and speciality image and is sold either as fresh or frozen meat or processed into hams, pates, pies and sausages. The meat from male boar over 2 years is too strong and is only really suitable for sausages. However, the sow carcase is still acceptable up to 8 year old and is therefore still of value.

There is high demand by restaurants, hotels, specialist food outlets in UK and France (net importer), but markets should be secured before production starts. Farmer's markets are also becoming a popular market outlet for wild boar. The BWBA estimate that the UK wild boar market is worth £2 million.

Physical Requirements

High security accommodation. External high tensile stock fencing 1.8m high and 0.5m sunk into the ground + internal electric wire 0.5m off ground and one strand of electric wire on top. All gates and access areas must be padlocked at all times. Internal fences should be 1.1m high with 2 electrified wires on top and and stand off wire on each side.

1 boar for every 10 sows. Outdoor rearing - stocking rate around 5-6 sows per hectare + shelters and farrowing arks. Indoors + run-out - buildings divided into pens for dry and farrowing sows and boar pens. Labour requirements are relatively low (1 person to 50 sows)

Costs

The following costing information is general and current prices should be sought for budgeting purposes.

Capital Costs

High security fencing - Cost £5 - £7/m depending on internal or external. Shelters and arks for boars kept outside (about £2,7500 - £3,250 / ha for housing and fencing) Stock costs: Gilts and young boars £350 - £500. In-pig sows and adult boars £500 - £700

Running Costs

Feed - £180 - £240/sow, £50 -70 per weaner/finisher; feed cost dependant on availability of vegetables and other feed and weight at slaughter. Vet, transport, slaughter costs £60-£100, depending on slaughter and processing arrangements. License fee around £50-£100, but variable according to area + possible additional insurance.

Returns

£180-£250 per carcass; joints £4-£6/kg; saddles and haunches £8-£13/kg; smoked hams £16-£20/kg. Sale of breeding stock, see above under capital costs. Nix's Farm Management Pocketbook suggests a gross margin of £437 per sow

Constraints

  • Annual license from local authority under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act (DWAA) 1979 and 1984.
  • Limited supply of breeding stock.
  • Cost of fencing and security.
  • Dangerous animals.

Training

BWBA standardises breeding, production and marketing. LANTRA has a list of courses for which include a variety of farm diversification topics which can be downloaded here

Grants

Through the Scottish Rural Development Programme (SRDP) 2007-2013 funding is now available for rural businesses throughout Scotland for diversification and renewable energy projects. Specifically, support is delivered through Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities which was launched in April 2008. For further information about what support is available see the Section on Rural Development Contracts – Rural Priorities.

Further Information

Publications

Andrew Ashcroft has written an interesting article on Wild Boar and the Ancient Caledonian Forest

Contact

Mr Steven Thomson
SAC (Scottish Agricultural College) Work SAC, King's Buildings, West Mains Road,
Edinburgh
EH9 3JG
TelWork 0131 535 4192

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