PROVIDING SERVICE TO PUREBRED KUNEKUNE BREEDERS FOR OVER 15 YEARS!
The IKHR is run by volunteers whose work is one that maintains the integrity of the Foundation Herd Book for Kunekune Hogs. Initially comprised of the United States of America and Canada (AKPR) we are pleased to now be serving the world on an international level. Our Foundation Herd Book was established through the archives and herd books of the New Zealand Pig Association, the New Zealand Kunekune (Breeders) Association, and the British Kunekune Pig Society. While serving North America, the AKPR made commonplace the requirement of DNA testing for Proof of Parentage. This core process is proven and is the basis for the registration process of the IKHR. All monies received as a result of annual fees are used to promote the Kunekune Hog breed to the benefit of Kunekune producers across the globe. Education, promotion, and a secure future for the Kunekune Hog breed through use as a viable meat animal are the goals of the premier international registry.
OUR HISTORY
Formally known as the American Kunekune Breeder's Association and the American Kunekune Pig Registry. The American Kunekune Breeders Association was the first registry for heritage breed swine to require DNA testing for proof of parentage found anywhere in the world. Now known as the International Kunekune Hog Registry, the stewardship of the Kunekune hog breed and the integrity of the Registry remain our highest priorities.
The main aim of the International Kunekune Hog Registry is to ensure the conservation and preservation of the Kunekune Hog by:
Establishment of the Foundation Herd Book Internationally Maintaining a registry of purebred Kunekune Hogs. Authoring the Official Breed Standard Encouraging the breeding and improvement of the Kunekune Hog for pasture, pork, and progeny. Providing expert advice on the breeding, keeping, and marketing of Kunekune Hogs. Promoting Kunekune Hogs through exhibition, publication and research.
WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
The IKHR is a privately owned recordkeeping business intended to keep and maintain the FOUNDATION Herd Book which was established for all breeders of purebred Kunekune Hogs. The IKHR invites breeders to register a “Breeder Prefix” by paying an annual fee for inclusion in the listing of Registered Breeders found on the official IKHR website. The IKHR has established the Kunekune Hog breed in the United States and Canada having been the first pig registry to require DNA testing for Proof of Parentage and authoring the Official Breed Standard, recently making wattles a requirement for registration. The IKHR’s goal of preservation through pork production is the impetus for change and improvement in increased size, rate of growth, and carcass quality in this heritage, wattled breed whose origins are found in New Zealand’s Maori tribal lands. The IKHR serves as historian and educator on the Kunekune Hog breed in North America and welcomes inquiry regarding its origins in New Zealand, journey to the United States, and future as a meat animal to the benefit of all. IKHR heavily promotes the breed as a meat animal whose breed characteristics serve as a grazing animal for pasture, pork, and profit. The IKHR is run by a volunteer Board of Directors which includes its founder and appointed positions of president, registrar, historian, show director, and committee members.
WHAT WE ASK
It is an honor and a privilege to be called an “IKHR Registered Breeder”, a privilege that the IKHR generously grants to those who seek it. With this privilege comes responsibilities on the part of Registered Breeders. This privilege requires respect, professionalism, and behavior that is generally acceptable and kind by those whose prefix has been awarded and whose title has been granted as such. The IKHR requires an annual fee due and payable each January 1st to register a “Breeder Prefix” and for inclusion in the listing of Registered Breeders located on the IKHR website. Once a prefix is granted, the IKHR requires of all Registered Breeders to act appropriately when participating in online discussions, direct messages with fellow breeders, and whenever communicating with the IKHR. The IKHR desires to serve the greater Kunekune Hog community with professionalism and inclusion whenever possible, however, we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone. We ask that, if possible, questions/concerns/complaints be presented privately in a manner appropriate of a business to business contact. We expect that our Registered Breeders understand and accept that their presence in and relationship with IKHR is to be maintained with civility and professionalism. Being called an “IKHR Registered Breeder” is a choice each breeder freely makes and in doing so shall agree to support and uphold the mission of preservation through pork production and the policy of wattles as a requirement for registration.
2006
American Kunekune Breeder's Association founded, headquarters Norco, California
First Litter Entered Into the Foundation Herd Book
2009
DNA Registration Requirement
Contract VGL at UC Davis
First Kunekune Pig pork harvest
Enter Original New Zealand Imports
2010 Direct New Zealand Import
2011
First AKBA Conference
Establish Patron of Porcine award
2012
Update Breed Standard of Perfection
First AKBA Sanctioned Show
Reach 1000 Entries
2013
Name Change to American Kunekune Pig Registry
Launch Online Herd Book
Launch International Kunekune Pig Preservation Project
First Canadian Export
2014
AKPR Quarterly Magazine
Honored by New Dishley Society
2016 Reach 5000 Entries
2017 Addition of Colour Designations – Tapeka Trait, High Percentage White and Ivanleigh Blended Belly Band
2018
Update Breed Standard of Perfection
Reach 10,000 Entries
Instated Paperless System
2019
Headquarters Moved to Riverside, California
Revised Growth Chart
Addition of Colour Designation – Swallow Belly
2020
Implement Wattle Requirement
Implement Teat Count Requirement
Lauch Certified Kunekune Pedigree Pork
Reach 20,000 Entries
2021
Contract NeoGen DNA Laboratory – SNP DNA
Headquarters Moved to Quinte West, Ontario, Canada
Name Change to International Kunekune Hog Registry
OUR TEAM
Our professional team has years of experience in all aspects of farrow to finish Kunekune operations and preservation through utilization of the Kunekune Hog for Pastured Pork Production. From the establishment of the first US and Canadian Herds through international import and export to Founding and Maintaining the original North American Breed Registry, the team's industry knowledge is unparalleled.
Tammy Keller
President & CEO
Loreen Milbrath
Show Director
Kelly Worthington
Board Member
OUR BOARD OF ADVISORS
Andy & Maureen Case
UK
Long time UK pig farmers, Andy & Maureen Case are known to keep a multi-award winning herd of Kunekune Pigs and Oxford Sandy & Blacks on their historic family property in the beautiful countryside of Dorset, England--Long Ash Farm. Andy is a very well respected swine judge, prolific writer/published author and artist. Maureen is known for being a wonderful cook, tough competitor in the show ring and important contributor to the preservation of the OSB in England and elsewhere. Andy & Maureen imported their foundation breeding Kunekune Pigs from top New Zealand breeders, Pat and Patsy Leek. They were the first to export Kunekunes to the United States and have provided pigs to breeders all across the UK and the world.
Lori Enright
USA
Founder and Historian
Lori has raised and kept Kunekune Hogs at her farm in Southern California for 20 years. Breeding and producing from North American's most decorated and well known herd (The USA Herd), Lori has provided prized stock to farms across the US and Canada. Lori has completed major imports to the US from the UK and NZ as well as major exports to Canada, this stock has served as the basis for the Kunekune Herds seen today throughout North America. Lori's unprecedented commitment to this breed for the past 20 years have perpetuated the Kunekune Hog forward as a pastured pork producer, Lori harvested the first Kunekune Hog in North American in 2009. A "Pig Pioneer" of sorts, Lori founded the AKBA in 2006 in order to keep record of the breed in America and initiated the requirement for DNA proof of parentage as a requirement for registration in 2009 - without these efforts North American would not have the years of DNA proof of parentage to support the purity of the breed. Her vision of the Kunekune as livestock and a production animal has created a sustainable future for the breed throughout the world.
Al Christian
USA
Iowa State University recently recognized Allen Christian for his dedication and commitment to the management of their Swine Teaching Farm by naming the farm in his honor. After more than 50 years of service to ISU and its students, joining as swine herdsman in 1959, Al retired in 2010 from teaching and managing. His students ranked him as one of the best-crediting him with lessons learned on life as well as those learned about pigs. Al Christian travels across the country as a consultant and swine show judge. Christian serves as one of IKHR's "Approved Judges" and is appreciated for his expertise whenever called upon.
Professor Steven Moeller
USA
Dr. Steven J. Moeller, Professor of Animal Sciences at Ohio State University, is a State Swine Extension Specialist. While his accomplishments are too numerous to mention here, he is known for teaching and the development of curriculum for Swine Sciences at OSU as well as working with a team to create online courses such as PorkBridge and SowBridge. Prof. Moeller sits on a multitude of committees and boards serving the pork industry and swine producers across the United States. His work is also recognized internationally for his extensive outreach to many countries offering various educational opportunities to assist pork producers worldwide. Of most importance to IKHR is his desire to facilitate the increase in Kunekune Hogs in the niche market and to serve as an expert upon which we may rely for relevant and current information.
Professor Tim Safranski
USA
Professor Tim Safranski is an Associate Professor at the University of Missouri serving as a Swine Breeding Specialist. In this capacity, Dr. Safranski provides state-wide leadership for producers, regional extension faculty, veterinarians and other industry support personnel in the areas of genetics and reproductive management of swine. Among other things, Prof. Safranski serves on the Board of Directors for the Livestock Breeds Conservancy and is forward thinking with regard to rare and heritage breed pigs. His passion and dedication to helping people reach their desired goals while utilizing alternative methods for swine production is exemplary.
Dr. Jessica Law
Canada
Dr. Jessica Law graduated from the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine at the University of Calgary. She joined Prairie Swine Health Services after graduation to pursue production animal medicine. In practice, Jessica enjoys working to improve herd health and performance through preventative herd health programs, reproduction, biosecurity, welfare assessments, as well as disease investigations. Her passions lie in pathology, epidemiology and theriogenology. Within the first two years of practice, she was introduced to the amazing breed that is the Kunekune and sustains veterinarian-client-patient relationships with fantastic producers across Canada and the United States. Jessica is currently serving as the President of both the Western Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians and the Canadian Association of Swine Veterinarians. In 2018, Jessica received the Rising Star Award at the Alberta Pork Congress and in 2021 she received Young Veterinarian of the year from the ABVMA.
