🐖 Why Pasture-Raised Kunekune Pork is a Game-Changer for Your Health

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June 11, 2025

Our boar, Chumbawomba, chowing down on some grass.

At Dos Lobos Ranch, our Kunekune (pronounced "koo-nee koo-nee", or the Texan way "koo-nee koon") pigs are raised the way nature intended: outdoors on fresh pasture, free to root (which they minimally do naturally due to their short snouts, which is one reason we love this breed... they don't "moon-scape" the pasture!), graze, and soak in the sun. And unlike conventional pork, our Kunekune pork is corn-free, soy-free, and 100% non-GMO. The result? Pork that’s not just more flavorful—it’s better for your body, your family, and the land.

The nutritional benefits of pasture raised kunekune pork.

🌿 What Makes Kunekune Pork Different?

Kunekunes are a heritage breed of lard pig from New Zealand with a rich history. Saved from the brink of extinction in the 1970's and 80's with fewer than 50 breeding animals left, they're known for their docile nature, excellent grazing instincts, and rich marbling. Because they thrive on pasture rather than feedlot diets, their meat is naturally higher in healthy fats, antioxidants, and key micronutrients. Bonus: we genetically select our Kunes for tender meat and test our breeders for these traits using a genetic testing lab called Neogen. The result is consistently flavorful, healthy, and very tender pork!

Our first ever litter born here on the farm in September of 2024!

In particular, Kunekune pork from pasture-raised systems tends to be:

🧬 High in Monounsaturated Fats – The same heart-healthy fat found in olive oil.
💪 Rich in Oleic Acid – Shown to reduce inflammation and support metabolic health.
🌞 A Source of Vitamin D – From time in the sun and healthy fat stores.
🔥 Naturally Anti-Inflammatory – Thanks to a better omega-6 to omega-3 ratio.
🧠 CLA-Rich – Contains conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), known to support fat metabolism, immune health, and reduce the risk of chronic disease.

Did you know? Studies show pasture-raised pork can have up to 3x more vitamin E and higher levels of selenium than grain-fed counterparts.

🌱 Raised Right: Regenerative, Non-GMO, Corn & Soy Free

Unlike commercial pork raised in confinement on genetically modified corn and soy, our Kunekune pigs are raised on rotationally grazed pasture with supplemental non-GMO, soy-free, corn-free feed. This not only improves the nutritional quality of the pork—it helps regenerate the land and create a more humane, sustainable food system.

No antibiotics. No hormones. No vaccines.* Just healthy pigs and nutrient-rich meat from a regenerative Texas farm. (Except in life-saving circumstances which we had to deploy in November of 2024. As a result, all of our pork for 2025 will have had either a round of antibiotics or a non-MRNA vaccine and booster for pneumonia. Hopefully, we don't see pneumonia in our herd again for a very long time!)

Pigs follow behind the cows and the chickens follow behind them in our pasture management system with regular movement to fresh pasture.

🍽️ Taste the Difference, Feel the Difference

Health benefits aside, the flavor of Kunekune pork is unmistakable— uniquely sweet-flavored, rich, and micro-marbled like fine beef. Whether you’re rendering lard for baking, slow-roasting a Boston butt, or pan-searing a pork ribeye, you’ll notice a depth of flavor and tenderness that only comes from slow-growing, pasture-raised pork. This pork isn't like grocery store pork and requires less time to cook... be careful not to over-cook it! We've found that 4-5 minutes LESS than regular pork is the sweet-spot for kunekune meat!