Swine Breeds
US Swine Breeds
- 40 World wide
- Only 8 Industry Impact
Four Classifications
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Maternal Breeds
Sire / Carcass Breeds
Minor Breeds
Swine Company Genetics
Mother Breeds
Yorkshire
• Developed:
– York county England
– Imported in 1830
• Characteristics:
– White with Erect ears
– A large breed
• Noted For:
– Maternal characteristics
– Most carcass oriented of Mother breeds
– “Dual Purpose”
Mother Breeds
Landrace
• Developed:
– From Danish Landrace
– 1930’s imported
• Characteristics:
– White with Big Droopy ears
– Fine boned
– Distinctively long bodied
• Noted For:
• Most Prolific Breed
• Largest litter size
Maternal Breeds
Chester White
• Developed:
– Chester Co Pennsylvania
– Mid 1800’s from White hogs in the area
• Characteristics:
– White body
– More Bone “Rugged design compared to other mother breeds”
• Noted For:
– Maternal characteristics
– Durability
– Meat quality
Sire/Carcass Breeds
Hampshire
• Developed:
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Hampshire Co. England
Imported in 1825 to Kentucky
Called “Thin Rinds”
Major growth in 30’s
• Characteristics:
– Black with a White Belt
• Noted For:
– Carcass Traits
– Heaviest muscled leanest breed
Sire/Carcass Breeds
Duroc
• Developed:
– New Jersey Reds
– Sire named “Duroc”
• Characteristics:
– Red body
– Variation is light to dark
• Noted For:
– Ruggedness / durability
– Feed efficiency
– Rate of Growth
Sire/Carcass Breeds
Berkshire
• Developed:
– Berkshire England
• Characteristics:
– Black with erect
– 6 – white points
• Face, legs, tail
• Noted For:
– True Pure Breed
– Highest Pork Quality
Berkshire Gold
- Premium Pork Product
Sire/Carcass Breeds
Pietrain
• Developed:
– Belgium
• Characteristics:
– Spotted
– Double muscled
• Noted For:
– Leanness and muscle
– Below average pork quality
Poland/Spot
• Black with white on face and at least three
feet
• May have a splash of white on the body
• No red hair
• Must exhibit breed character
• Spots must exhibit white spots on body a
long with Poland breed character
Cross Breeding
Crossbreeding
• Developed:
– To improve the hog being developed by utilizing the
positives from the breeds selected
– Greater performance and growth rates from increased
hybrid vigor
Developing F1 crosses
Hampshire
Yorkshire
Developing F1 crosses
Hampshire
Duroc
H D Terminal Boars
Terminal Line
Maternal Line