On the Farm

Good for the pigs, good for you

Our pigs are pasture raised in Alberta. We are committed to ethical, sustainable farming practices that support a healthy environment for our free range pigs, family raised lamb and the community as a whole.

Greg and Bonnie started farming at their present location in Rosemary, Alberta in March 2002. At this time, they were raising approximately 700 market hogs per year on their farm, with anywhere from 250-350 hogs on the pasture at one time.

Our piglets are born at a local hog producers farm and are raised indoors until they reach 50lbs. The pigs then travel to live a low-stress life on our free-range pastures in Rosemary, Alberta.

We pride ourselves on providing our piglets with the best quality of life possible during their time on the farm. In the spring and summer months, our pigs wander in the pastures and enjoy a plant-based, antibiotic-free diet. Free-range pigs have plenty of room to roam and explore and they tend to develop their own unique personalities!

During the cooler months, the pigs are in the same pastures but generally choose to not wander and graze to the same level. Straw and alfalfa hay keep the pigs warm and keep the foraging component in their diets. By raising happy pigs in a healthy environment, we can create safe, great-tasting pork products.

Once our pigs have reached 240lbs, they are loaded at the farm and transported for slaughter and provincial inspection. Once chilled, the pork is then transported back to Spragg's Meat Shop in sides to be further processed. To learn more about the processing head over to our At the Meat Shop page

Lambs on the farm

In 2016, Ruth Spragg started raising sheep with the local 4-H club. This started out as 2 lambs on the farm that she raised and then brought to a sheep show. Ruth loved it so much she begged Bonnie to let her get more sheep. Now, Ruth has a flock of 20 ewes that she lambs out every year. The lambs are born in the barn every May and a month later, they are let out to pasture to graze. When looking around the farm, you can see sheep on one side of the fence and pigs on the other. Once the lambs reach about 120lbs, they are brought to slaughter and are provincially inspected. They are then transported back to Spragg's Meat Shop to be further processed into the cuts you love!

In 2020, Ruth placed 3rd in the Provincial 4-H Sheep Show marketing competition. Watch her video on how her lamb operation, the pigs and the meat shop all benefit the environment!

Why should you care about ethical, sustainable farming?

Sustainable, small scale farming practices form a key part of the vision of our local family farm.

These practices help to protect the environment and our natural resources. We believe that staying small and selling only to a local consumer base provides a better balance for the ecosystem.

As a local meat processor, Spragg's Meat Shop is building sustainable, dependable local food production chain. Small scale food processing is equally as important to getting high quality products to the consumer as the farmer is.

When you purchase Spragg's pork products, you know you are feeding your family the highest quality, ethically raised, local meat. Some of the benefits for the animals, environment and the community include;

Less stress on the animals- our pigs are raised outside and use their natural instinct to eat, drink, stay warm or cool and socialize with the other pigs
No stored manure- With a pasture-based farming system, no pig manure collects in enclosed spaces. We do not need a manure management system as the pigs do that all by themselves. This decreases our environmental impact.
Lower carbon footprint- Since everything is produced locally, your food doesn't have too travel far, meaning that it has a much lower carbon footprint.
Supports the local economy- Because all of our vendors and suppliers are based right here in Alberta, you are helping keep money in our local economy when you buy from local farmers. Staying local also means we can reduce costs, meaning you are getting considerable value by purchasing high-quality meats at a great price!