Breeds of SwineCreated by: Tracey Hoffman

Topic #3021

Source: Http://www.agednet.com/subs/la111.htm

Introduction

• Agriculture, pigs and humans have coexisted through history

• Pigs that look alike and have been bred from common ancestors are recognized as breeds

• Purebreds are used in commercial production to generate crossbreds for parent stock or slaughter animals

8 Major Breeds in the United States

1. Bershire

2. Chester White

3. Duroc

4. Hampshire

5. Landrace

6. Poland China

7. Spotted Swine

8. Yorkshire

Berkshire

• Black with 6 white points– four feet– face & tip of tail

• Ears are erect

• High quality color and marbling

• Originated in Berkshire, England

• Foundation stock was red

Bershire

http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/

Chester White

• “Chesters”• White breed with

small drooping ears• Named for Chester

County, PA• Combination of

Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Cumberland genetics

Duroc

• Large red breed w/ drooping ears

• Developed from Red Guinea, Bershires & Red Rock

• Known for genetic growth rate & high pork quality

• Used as terminal sires

Hampshire

• Black w/ white belt & upright ears

• Low amount of fat• Used as terminal sire• Slow growth rate

Landrace

• Long-bodied, lean, white pig w/ large. drooping ears

• Most commercial sows have Landrace

• Maternal genetics– milk production

– wean large, heavy litters

Poland China

• Drooping ears• Today considered too

fat for commercial production

• Known for– Appetite

– growth rate

– muscling

– hardinesshttp://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/

Spotted Swine• Black w/ white spots• White w/ black spots• Small drooping ears • Outdoor production

– rugged

• “Spot” boars are aggressive breeders

• Considered too fat for commercial production

Yorkshires

• Long-bodied w/upright ears

• Most commonly used breed in world

• Known for maternal traits– farrow & wean large litter

• Most commercial sows contain Yorkshire

• “Large White”

Another breed: Pietrain

• Spotted w/ sm. drooping ears

• Heavy & lean muscled• Use Pietrain or Pietrain

crosbreds as terminal sires

• Meat is sometimes watery & pale

• HAL genehttp://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/

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