Breeds of Swine
Learning Objectives:
After reading this INFORMATION SHEET, you MUST be able to:
1. Identify the different breeds of swine.
2. Enumerate breeds of swine with desirable characteristics.
INTRODUCTION:
A breed is a group of animals that has a specific traits or characteristics
in common and mating within the breed produces progeny that maintains the
same set of characteristics. Different breeds ca be differentiated through the
following characteristics:
Color: black, white, brown, etc.
Color combinations: spotted, belted, etc.
Size of ears
Position of ears: erect, hanging, ¼ hanging, etc.
Body length
Backline: straight, swaying, curved, etc.
Landrace
The Landrace is a white meat type of pig. It has hanging ears and small
head. The neck and body are long and narrow in the withers to the
brisket. It has a long deep side but is low in the back. The ham of the
Landrace is square-shaped. The Landrace is highly prolific, superior in
feed efficiency and daily gain. However, it lacks hardiness and has weak
pastern and legs.
Large White
The Large White is a white meat type of pig with medium, erect ears,
curved back and body inclining forward. The face is slightly dished. It is
fast growing, good feed converter, highly prolific, excellent milkers with
superior mothering ability. Its carcass is also suited for bacon
production. It can adopt well in confinement but not in a rugged
condition.
Hampshire
The Hampshire is a black meat type of pig with white belted body from
the shoulder to the front legs. It is smaller in size with strong, short legs
and erect ears. The Hampshire is prolific, shows good mothering ability,
average daily gain is acceptable and it has a high lean meat percentage
but lacks body thickness. They are adapted to rugged conditions.
Berkshire
The Berkshire is a black dual type of pig with six white points (face, feet,
switch of the tail). It has a wide dish-shaped face, short snout and
medium size erect ears. The breed is of medium size with long body
which is inclined forward. The carcass quality is excellent. It is not highly
prolific, poor in feed efficiency and average daily gain.
Duroc
The Duroc is a meat type, red pig (gold to yellow) with a set of small,
forward ears, 2/3 erect and 1/3 hanging. Black flecks may appear on the
body. It has a good body constitution, strong legs, good mothering ability,
a fast grower, good milker and is prolific. This breed adapts well on
rugged conditions.
Pietrain
The Pietrain is a very meaty type of pig with spotted black and white
color. It has well-shaped hams, loin and shoulders. Ears are erect. The
carcass has a high lean meat percentage but it has a poor body
constitution. Feed efficiency is not really good and it is a little bit of a
slow grower. This breed is also highly susceptible to stress. Thus,
Pietrain is only worthwhile in crosses but not as purebreds.
Chester White
Chester Whites originated in Chester County, Pa., from which their name
was formed. These white hogs with droopy, medium-sized ears are
known for their mothering ability, durability and soundness. Packers
also tout their muscle quality.
Poland China
In the early 1800s, Poland China hogs originated in Ohio. Today, Poland
China hogs are known for their large frame, length of body, leanness and
muscle. They also are excellent feeders, gaining well under good care and
management. They also are quiet in their disposition.
Spotted
The Spotted swine breed is characterized by large, black-and-white
spots. Many breeders in central Indiana specialized in breeding Spotted
hogs through the years. Today, Spots are known for their feed efficiency,
rate of gain and carcass quality. In addition, commercial producers
appreciate Spotted females for their productivity, docility and durability.
Yorkshire
The most-recorded breed of swine in North America, Yorkshires are white
with erect ears. They are found in almost every state, with the highest
populations being in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska and Ohio.
Yorkshires are known for their muscle, with a high proportion of lean
meat and low backfat. Soundness and durability are additional
strengths.
Tamworth
This breed exhibits an elongated head shape and a long, narrow body.
The ears are erect and pointed, while the face has rectilinear lines as well
as the snout. Colors range from a pale gingery to dark mahogany red.
The bristle density protects their skin from ultraviolet harm from the
sun; nevertheless, when they molt between June and August (in the
Northern Hemisphere), shade is sought along with copious mud coating
to prevent sunburn. The mud coating also provides a way for the pigs to
cool down, as pigs cannot sweat.
These are just examples of major pig breeds utilized around the world. There
are also many other breeds of pig around the world that have not been
popularized yet.
