Swine Introduction and Breeds Flashcards
200 years ago, it took up to ___ months for pigs to reach
slaughter weight
18 months
Today, pork makes up ____% of the meat market
40%
What is “market weight” for pigs?
240 - 260 lbs
Producers want pigs at market weight by 6 months old
The pork industry is strongest in these 2 regions of America
Midwest and Southeast
What are the top 2 major breeds of pigs in
EUROPE?
1: Large White
What are the top 4 major pig breeds in
USA?
Yorkshire
Hampshire
Duroc
Landrace
This breed of pig is large, white in color, with a long body and
floppy ears.
They are bred for quick growth, stamina, and a long, lean carcass
Landrace
This pig breed is large, red in color, with small, floppy ears.
They are fast growing and fairly common in the USA
Duroc/ Duroc Jersey
Grown in New Jersey, thus the name
This pig breed is very lean and muscular.
It is either white or gray in color, and has black patches.
It is a Belgian breed and double-muscled.
There is a crease in the center of their back due to well-developed loins.
This breed used to drop dead under stress, but the gene for this
was bred out of the lineage.
Pietrain
This breed of pig is black with a white band behind the shoulders-
belted (“stress gene”)
In Essex, it is called the Wessex Saddleback
Hampshire
This breed is large and white in color with erect ears.
It grows well and produces large litters.
Is sometimes known as the “London Porker”
Yorkshire
This pig breed is pure black in color with white feet.
It is a rare breed today that stemmed from Asian pigs.
They have short legs and a long snout, and are known for
especially tasty meat.
They are early to mature, fast growing, and have lean meat
Berkshire
This is a miniature breed of pig and have a belly
suitable for large amounts of available feed, like rice bran, and
aquatic plants. They are found all over China, as well as
their namesake country.
Vietnamese Potbelly
This breed of pig is fairly small, and their name literally translates to
“fat and round”. They are spotted with different colors and
hail from New Zealand. This breed is quiet in nature with
erect ears, and 2 wattles that dangle under their jaw.
Seen frequently in petting zoos.
Kune Kune
This pig is descended from Lincoln
and has a curly coat!
Hungarian Wooly
This pig breed is unique in that it only has one toe!
Mule Foot Hog
In order to keep this breed, you’ll need a Dangerous Wild Animals license.
They have tusks used for digging and fighting.
Socially- they live in matriarchal groups.
Males are solitary unless during the “rut” (November to January).
They are nest-makers and babies are born from February to May.
They have a stripe for camoflage and wean naturally at 3 - 4 months
Wild Boar
This breed of pig is all red in color and is close to the Wild Boar.
They have erect ears, and Wilbur, the pig at Reggae Beach that was raised
in Nevis was this breed.
They have quick reactions and good at escaping.
They are broad-sided and have long snouts.
Imported boars have been used to increase their litter sizes,
but even so, they are still a RARE breed!
Tamworth
This breed of pig has a white belt that includes the forelimbs.
It is a combination of the Wessex and Essex breeds.
While a minor breed today, they are making a comeback
with the recurrence of outdoor pig rearing.
British Saddleback
This hardy outdoor pig breed is found in St. Kitts.
They have giant ears that almost cover their eyes!
Large Black
This is a giant outdoor pig breed. They have huge floppy ears and
are strong and economical.
They thrive on subtle grass/woodland areas.
British Lop
This pig breed is sandy in color with a few black spots on its back
and is a British breed.
It is sometimes referred to as “Plum Pudding”
Oxford Black (Oxford Sandy and Black)
This breed of pig reaches market weight very quickly
Siamese, Chinese
This is one of two main breeds used for reproduction/meat purposes
in the world today.
Large White
This is one of two main breeds used for reproduction/meat purposes
in the world today.
They are known for their fine bones, and milkiness.
British Landrace
This breed of pig is derived from a population of feral pigs on an
island in Georgia, United States.
They are descended from foundation stock brought by Spanish explorers
over 400 years ago!
Currently, they are being used at Purdue as a model for female research.
Ossabaw Island Pig
Pigs susceptible to the “stress gene” used to be tested
using this method; now, they are identified by genetic testing
Halothane anesthesia
Pigs with the “stress gene” are susceptible to
these 2 conditions, associated with pork quality
PSE- pale, soft, exudative pork
DFD- dark, firm, dry pork
When selecting seeding stock for breeding, it is important to
evaluate the performance of ALL related individuals,
to arrive at a prediction for genetic merit.
This is known as
EBV- Estimated Breeding Value
When selecting seed stock for breeding:
This value is the prediction of the difference in pig performance
relative to a certain point of reference. It is equal to
half of the EBV (estimated breeding value).
Traits compared include: # born alive, total litter weight at 21 days,
back fat adjusted to 230 lbs, and # of days until 230 lbs.
EPD- Estimated Progeny Difference
This pig breed has come close to extinction several times, and
is a cross between the Berkshire and Tamworth breeds.
Oxford Sandy and Black pig
The finishing weight for Wild Boars
42 kgs (~92lbs)
