Learn About Our Genetics & Feeding Program

If you’ve ever cooked pork that stayed juicy, browned beautifully, and actually tasted rich instead of bland, you know there’s a difference.

That difference doesn’t start at the butcher counter. It starts with the animal itself — its genetics, its diet, and the way it’s raised.

At Flacco Land & Livestock, we raise registered, purebred Berkshire hogs. We chose Berkshire for one simple reason: eating quality.

Berkshires are known for natural marbling — the fine intramuscular fat that keeps pork tender and flavorful. That marbling allows a chop to stay moist instead of drying out. It helps bacon render evenly. It gives roasts depth and richness instead of just salt.

Genetics set the ceiling for quality. You cannot feed your way into excellence if it isn’t there to begin with.

But genetics are only the foundation.

Our hogs are raised on pasture with access to forage, sunlight, and space to move. They root and graze the way hogs were designed to. Alongside pasture, we provide thoughtfully selected feeds that support steady growth and proper fat development.

Diet influences more than weight gain.

It affects:
• Fat composition
• Micronutrient profile
• Flavor development
• Cooking performance

An animal raised on a more diverse diet develops fat that is cleaner and firmer, muscle that is well structured, and meat that carries deeper flavor.

And because animals convert what they eat into what they become, nutrition at the farm level matters at the table.

We believe food should not only taste exceptional — it should be nourishing. While we don’t make medical claims, we do believe that animals raised on diverse forages and balanced feed produce pork that reflects that care in its overall quality and nutrient integrity.

We also do not rush growth.

Modern pork systems prioritize speed and efficiency. We prioritize development and finish. Our hogs grow steadily, allowing muscle and fat to mature fully before harvest.

That time and attention show up in your kitchen.

When you cook our pork, you’ll notice:
• Better browning
• More moisture retention
• Fuller, richer flavor
• A firm, satisfying texture

We aren’t trying to be the biggest operation. And we aren’t competing to be the cheapest.

We focus on raising pork we’re proud to serve our own family — pork that performs well, tastes right, and reflects the care that went into raising it.

That’s our standard.