Our Iberico Herd. Documented Lineage. Nothing Approximated.
Every Iberico pig at Iberico Acres carries traceable lineage to purebred Spanish Ibérico stock — registered, documented, and maintained under a program of responsible breed stewardship.
A Breed Ten Thousand Years in the Making
The Iberico pig’s origins trace to the Neolithic period, when early domesticated pigs from the Middle East were introduced to the Iberian Peninsula. As farmers migrated into Europe, their animals interbred with local wild boar populations, producing a larger, more adaptable animal uniquely suited to the Mediterranean landscape.
Over thousands of years of selective breeding, the Iberico became something extraordinary: a pig with an unmatched genetic capacity for intramuscular fat storage, a natural instinct for foraging, and a flavour profile that no other commercially raised breed can replicate.
The breed is defined by its dark coat — often black or deep reddish brown — its long legs, narrow snout, and remarkable ability to deposit fat within the muscle rather than simply around it. That intramuscular fat, rich in oleic acid — the same monounsaturated fat found in olive oil — is what gives genuine Iberico pork its depth of flavour, its tenderness, and its status as one of the world’s great food ingredients.
Where Our Animals Come From
The Iberico Acres foundation herd traces its lineage to purebred, registered Spanish Ibérico pigs imported directly from Spain and established in the United States by Iberian Pastures of Bluffton, Georgia — one of the pioneering operations responsible for the lawful importation and establishment of authentic Spanish Ibérico genetics in America.
Our original foundation stock came directly from Glendower Farms of Monticello, Florida — a descendant breeding program developed from those same Spanish-imported lines. Animals from Glendower Farms have been DNA sampled and analysed by a recognised Spanish laboratory specialising in Ibérico breed authentication, with genetic analysis conducted against reference markers from the Libro Genealógico del Cerdo Ibérico — the official Spanish Iberico breed registry.
More recently, Iberico Acres has significantly expanded the program through the acquisition of Acorn Seekers animals — both breeding stock and finished feeders — adding further depth and genetic diversity to the foundation herd. Together, these bloodlines represent a direct and documented connection to authentic Spanish Ibérico genetics, maintained in continuity with the original imported foundation stock.
What Verification Means: Honest About What We Claim
Genetic provenance in American Iberico production is a nuanced subject, and we believe transparency serves everyone better than marketing language.
Iberico Acres maintains its herd in documented continuity with verified Spanish genetic foundations. Our Iberico animals are registered within the Iberico Pig Breeders Association (IPBA) herd book and each registered animal carries a full lineage record — sire, dam, herd of origin, and genetic provenance statement.
What we do not claim: Spanish registry membership, government certification beyond what is stated, or percentage-based purity claims beyond those supported by our foundation herd records and the DNA verification conducted on our source herds.
What we do claim: a documented, traceable genetic line to purebred Spanish Ibérico stock, verified through recognised breed authentication processes, maintained under a program of responsible stewardship.
For members, chefs, and farmers who want to go deeper, full genetic provenance documentation is available on request.
Genetics Determine Everything
The difference between genuine Iberico pork and commodity pork begins in the genetics, not the feeding program. The Iberico breed’s capacity for oleic-acid-rich intramuscular fat cannot be replicated through husbandry alone — it is coded into the animal.
An animal marketed as “Iberico-style” or from unverified genetic stock will not reliably produce the same fat profile, flavour, or culinary result as a documented purebred animal raised correctly. Genetics are the foundation — everything else builds on them.
This is why provenance matters. And it is why we document ours carefully, represent it honestly, and make that documentation available to anyone who asks.
The Wiregrass: Establishing the Breed in Alabama
Jed’s decision to relocate the Iberico Acres foundation herd to the Alabama Wiregrass was deliberate. The region’s climate, native forage, and capacity for rotational grazing systems make it one of the most suitable environments in the American Southeast for raising genuine Iberico pigs. It shares important characteristics with the traditional Spanish dehesa where the breed has foraged for centuries.
The goal extends beyond raising pigs for meat. Jed is committed to establishing a genuine, documented Iberico foundation herd in the Wiregrass — contributing to the responsible propagation of the breed in the United States and sharing that knowledge with other farmers who share the same commitment to heritage genetics and honest stewardship.