The hard work in preparation for the montanera (free-range period) and the autumn-winter in #laDehesaViva (the vital meadowlands) comes to its end in the month of August.
A golden sheen reigns supreme in the meadowlands of Sierra de Codex as of the end of July. The cereal crops under the Holm oaks have already been harvested. As can be seen in the image the hay and grain have been beautifully prepared and arranged awaiting those moments when the weather makes them necessary. The bales of hay are thoroughly piled, protected from the weather in order to complement the diet of the animals once the cold weather puts in an appearance and halts the grass from growing any further. The cereal from the harvest is also carefully stored to likewise enrich even further the diet of our Ibérico pigs before they go free-ranging so that their morphology will develop to the perfect point that will allow them to truly profit from the fallen acorns.
Pacas frente a La Tala
And how about the acorns for this campaign?
Meanwhile the acorns continue to steadily grow in the Holm oaks. This year the fruit of the Holm oaks is very abundant and of excellent quality. However now, what we have to do during August is keep a constant eye on the sky: and then with the highly awaited rains that fall towards the end of summer or beginning of autumn, that is in September, then the acorns will truly reach their final size, slowly maturing to start dropping to the ground at the beginning of the 2018-19 free-range period that starts in October. The free-range period is that time of year when the pigs freely roam the meadowlands consuming huge amounts of the fallen acorns. Further along we will describe the entire process in detail, but we can first say that: apart from gaining the necessary weight, the characteristics in that pertaining to the flavor and aroma of the Ibérico pig also change, including the hues and nuances that have given rise to the international fame acquired by Acorn Fed Ibérico products.
Las bellotas abundantes y sanas esta temporada
And how about the other inhabitants of the #LaDehesaViva? (The vital meadowlands)
This is also a very special time for the fauna that abounds in the meadowlands. Around this time of year most of the species are busy caring for their litters that were born in the spring. Wild hares, rabbits, foxes, partridges and many raptors or birds of prey of tremendous ecological importance take advantage of the abundance of food they find, both in the meadowlands and likewise in the cereal fields once harvested as they are chock-full of grain and grass. A good part of the activity of these animals takes place at night, when the temperatures drop, although during the day it is also quite possible to enjoy surprising encounters with them. Perhaps one of the most spectacular of these is that of the families of partridges. With their chicks almost fully developed and quite capable of flying, when they perceive our presence they fly across the paths and fields in groups of up to fourteen individuals.
La perdiz aprovecha los recursos que la siega pone a su alcance
Summer is nearing its end and thus the most important season for the Sierra de Codex acorn fed products arrives: autumn and the free-range period. If you follow us on social media you will be able to observe the final development of the acorns and just how the Ibérico acorn fed pigs profit from them during the free-range period. We will be expecting you!
