Breeds of Swine

1. Breeds of Swine An Excellent Resource is www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/swine/ exhibiting 71 breeds of swine

3. Hampshire • Hamps are known for good muscling. Therefore, they were widely used on the sire side in breeding programs. However, preference for white breeds in confinement has decreased their popularity. They are not strong in litter size and mothering ability.

7. Duroc • Durocs are rugged, meaty and fast growing. They are red, so all-white confinement operations may not use them. They are good mothers, but were used more for the sire-side in crosses due to good muscling. The breed had problems with too much fatness, and has concentrated on improving that.

9. Duroc

10. Yorkshire

11. Yorkshire • Yorks are very popular on the maternal side in crossbreeding programs. They have large litters and are good mothers. They are similar to Large White in appearance. Their muscling characteristics are not their strong point.

12. York Boar

13. York Sow

15. Large White • Until recently, Large White probably referred to Yorkshire in the US, but this British breed provides similar characteristics from a different genetic base.

16. Chester White

17. Chester White • Chesters had, at times past, similar characteristics with Duroc, though growing slower and having more fat problems. They are a durable breed, and with white skin preferences, have resurfaced.

19. Landrace • American Landrace, derived from Danish Landrace, is a mothering breed. It is long and prolific. It can easily be identified by the large, floppy ears and somewhat different body conformation.

20. Landrace Sow

22. Poland China • Polands are similar in body conformation to Chester White. Color is black with white points. Adherence to color became a controversy that led to the Spotted breed (originally called Spotted Poland China).

24. Spot • Originally derived from Polands that failed to adhere to the color rules, the Spots were able to make more rapid progress in improvement.

25. Berkshire

26. Berkshire • Berks were popular before 1950, then popularity declined. Distinguished by the snub, turned up nose and black with white spots color pattern, they were somewhat like Durocs. A resurgence occurred due to fine grain of meat and fatness, making them desired in the Japanese pork trade, creating a ‘niche’ market.

29. Pietrain • A heavily muscled European breed, the Pietrain carried/carrys the STRESS gene, associated with high muscling, but susceptibility to PSE (pork quality) problems and stress susceptibility (leading to increased mortality).

31. Large Blace • British • Analogous to Large White (?)

33. Hereford • With color markings similar to the Hereford breed of cattle. • Not popular enough that I have ever seen one.

34. Tamworth

35. Tamworth • Once known jokingly as an acorn eater, this breed was thin, but thinly muscled as well. • It has maintained a breed following, partly for show purposes. • It is a “bacon type” hog, meaning without fat, but also without muscle in ham and loin.

36. Other Pigs • Other porcine animals from around the world follow. • Note especially the Meishan, from China, noted for very large litters. • Remember also that FAT has not always been a bad thing. Fat was a source of material to build explosives.