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Large Black Pigs Need Your Help

$145 of $1,200 goal

Given by 6 generous donors in over a year

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Large Black Pigs are very low in numbers and we need to preserve genetic diversity by cryopreserving semen.

Nationwide

Large Black Pigs used to be very popular but in today's world of factory farming they have fallen out of favour. However, they are very special with their dark skin that is not susceptible to sunburn. The Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand would like to cryopreserve semen from 1 boar.

We have a gene bank (please visit http://www.rarebreeds.co.nz/genebank.html for more details) to help safeguard irreplaceable genetics.

For more information about Large Black Pigs in New Zealand please visit http://www.rarebreeds.co.nz/largeblack.html

New Zealand with its geographical isolation may, one day, become a modern 'Noah's Ark' as new livestock diseases spread across the globe. Please help us make a difference.

Pig breeds that are now considered to be rare breeds used to be the mainstay of pig farming. Until about 5 years ago they used to be popular among smallfarmers who sold free range pork at farmers markets. However, the sale of many of our abattoirs to overseas interests means they can no longer be slaughtered at registered premises. It is illegal in New Zealand to sell homekilled meat so there no longer are outlets for the meat of these pigs - hence their decline in popularity and numbers. Cryopreserving semen of a Large Black boar means we can maintain some genetic diversity which will help give these pigs a future in New Zealand.

About us

The Rare Breeds Conservation Society of New Zealand Incorporated, founded in 1988, is an organization devoted to the preservation of rare and endangered breeds of livestock.

Use of funds

All funds raised will be used for semen collection of Large Black Pigs. If more funds are raised these will go toward semen or embryo collection of the most endangered breeds of livestock in New Zealand.