How the GOSPBU formed
In the summer of 2013 many GOS breeders were looking for a place to discuss different aspects of raising GOS pigs. When a collective group of GOS breeders had a chance to meet, and talk about the many great ways to improve the herd, the GOSPBU was born.
GOS breeders are great thinkers, with truly wonderful ideas. Many ideas have been suggested through the last few years, but not many have been acted on. The GOSPBU was created to unite breeders of GOS pigs. The GOSPBU was formed to share ideas, share breeding and health information, to provide a user friendly format for the calculation of the coefficient of Inbreeding, educate prospective members on cyclic breeding, and the attributes of the GOS pig. GOSPBU membership will allow unlimited online, CI percentage calculations. A membership application can be completed online, and paid for by credit card.
Consider looking through the pages of this website, and read the frequently asked questions (FAQ) pages. Feel free to contact us with questions if further explanation is needed. We are a pending non-profit breed registry that was formed to meet the needs of today’s GOS pig breeders. The GOSPBU welcomes GOS breeders that are just becoming involved, as well as seasoned breeders of this great breed. We register pure GOS pigs and maintain an accurate herd book that dates back to US foundation stock. The GOSPBU is here to help the GOS breeder, and the GOS pig. GOS pigs are rare, but do not have to be; please help us, help the breed!
Luther Clevenger – President
Luther and his wife Julie have been farming in Western Oregon’s Willamette Valley since 1979. They have always raised pigs but when they received their first registered GOS gilts from T-Meadow Farm a few years ago they quickly fell in love with the breed and established White Buffalo Ranch. Currently, they have over 112 GOS pigs of varying sizes and genders as well as a few LBHA sows and crosses. When they started raising GOS it was impossible to obtain GOS in the Pacific Northwest and all of their original breeding stock had to be flown in. Eventually, Luther imported 13 gilts and boars establishing a herd of sows and breeding boars encompassing all four color groups and genetic lines. Presently Luther has four GOS breeding boars; one from each color group. He also has twenty two GOS sows. This herd, and its diversity, has supported a GOS expansion into Washington, Oregon, Alaska and parts of California. White Buffalo Ranch has also exported breeding stock to the east coast and mid west.
Luther is committed to expanding the genetics of the GOS breed in the USA. When he got the call from Julie Sandoval in 2012 about her last two remaining Josephine gilts he jumped at the chance to host them at his farm and to try to get a successful breeding with the 6 year old girls.
In 2013 Luther decided to enter the Cochon 555 regional competition with a purebred GOS barrow. That pig won the Seattle competition and he was allowed to enter the only GOS in the June 2013 national Grand Cochon held in Aspen, CO which allowed chefs and food professionals from all over the USA to experience GOS pork. You can contact me at [email protected].
Dr. John Carr, GOS Herd Health Advisor
John started learning the ropes about pigs at the age of 11. He qualified as a veterinarian in 1982. After 5 years in general practice he returned to university to complete a Leverhulme residency in pigs and the PhD in urinary tract problems of pigs at Liverpool specializing in microbiology and pathology. He has taught production medicine to veterinarians and farmers throughout the world through positions at several universities: UK; Liverpool and Royal Veterinary College, London, US; North Carolina and Iowa State and in Western Australia at Murdoch. John runs a consultancy practice with clients in North America, Europe, Asia, Australia and Africa. John specializes in maintaining the health of pigs through promoting excellence in stockmanship and production practices while controlling the cost of production.