The Breeding programme – Identification
In 1985 Volume One of the herdbook was produced. The search for all Oxford Sandy and Black Pigs in the country was on and all those that were found went into the herdbook, there were 15 boars, number from 1FS to 15FS.
At the time ALL boars were inspected and this was down to Geoffrey Cloke who travelled tirelessly up and down the country. We had 72 Sows, numbered from 1001A to 1072A. There were then 29 herds recorded.
Cobthorn Farm was the largest herd with 10 sows and four boars. Now with the breeding stock underway and the recognition of the bloodlines complete then came the Registration Procedure…As mentioned all potential boars were inspected and if they made the grade they were given a “Foundation Stock (FS)” number. All sows that were put forward went in to the Herdbook with a number and the suffix “A” starting at 1001A. The sows from registered parents were registered with a suffix “B” and their offspring registered with a “C” followed by their offspring with “D” until their offspring were pedigree without a suffix.
The start-up Volume 1 was created in 1985 and it was safe to say that ALL #OSBPigs were recorded in this volume with all their diverse and wonderful naming system. Then in 1986/87 Volume 2 was produced whereby the rules were defined for the future of naming, therefore all pigs that were registered and noted in the herdbook must have the prefix of the herd of birth. Therefore in Volumes 1 and 2, registered pigs have, in addition to the prefix, an individual name or names containing the line name of the dam or of their sire. These names may also consist of the line name with the addition of an individual number. For example, Anyfarm Alice 3rd or Anyfarm Alistair 5th. Then to add a little spice to the naming game of the time you could also give an individual name, which was used, instead of a number. For example: Anyfarm Alice’s Rose BUT NOT ANOTHER LINE NAME e.g. Sybil. These line names were listed in Volume 2.
So to avoid confusion, these line names may not be used as individual names.
Tomorrow we will discuss the individual bloodlines
Footnote: All information was directly given to Kim Brook by Mr Sheppy. This information was also shared at a talk Mr Sheppy attended by invitation of the #OSBPigGroup in March 2016. Therefore subject to copyright to the #osbpiggroup Permission will be granted if asked as long as it carries the OSBPG name.
Photos: at source Catriona Cook Clockswood herd still breeding today and appeared in the Volume 1.