Common U S Breeds of Pigs Swine Production

Common U. S. Breeds of Pigs Swine Production 1

Breeds of Pigs White-line breeds and crosses -- Traditionally maternal breeds l Dark-colored breeds -- Traditionally meat breeds l Today: Color does not matter since the color genes have been identified and manipulated l 2

Breed Numbers 3

Common Breeds -Yorkshire -Landrace -Chester White -Duroc -Hampshire -Poland China -Berkshire -Spot 4

Yorkshire -“The mother breed” -All white -Erect ears -Large and long -Fertile -Produce large litters -Boars known for early sexual maturity and sire fast-growing offspring -Most litters registered in the U. S. 5

Landrace -Large, droopy ears -All white -Maternal breed -Heavy birthweights -Long bodied -Ease of breeding -Originated from Danish and Norwegian Landrace -Thought to have the highest # weaned of any breed. 6

Duroc -Noted for feed efficiency and muscle quality (marbling) -Low PSE and DFD -Solid red in color -Droopy ears -Excellent terminal sire -High average daily gain -Hair can be a problem at packing plants (deep-rooted hairs) -Require less feed to make a pound of muscle than other breeds. 7

Hampshire -Terminal sire breed -Erect ears -Black with white belt -Lean and heavy muscled -Napole (RN) gene 8

Berkshire -Black with six white points -Erect ears -Has a short dished snout -Noted for excellent marbling and loin muscle quality -Early maturing -Backfat -Small framed -Slow growth -Some markets pay a premium for Berkshire breeding (Berkshire Gold Program). 9

Spot -High growth rate -Lacks advantage in meat quality -Black and white spotted -Drooping ears -Boars are aggressive 10

Poland China -Black with six white points -Drooping ears -Developed in Ohio -Not very adaptable to intensive systems -Large loineye areas -Meaty carcasses 11

Chester White -Semi-lop eared -Durable breed -Good for both indoor and outdoor systems -Was a popular lard pig -Large litters at birth and weaning -Sows milk well, good mothering ability -Boars are aggressive 12

Extremes: Meishan and Pietran -prolific (20+ pigs per litter) -very fat! -Halothane gene -extremely lean and heavy muscled 13

Common Commercial Crossbred Pigs Monsanto Choice Genetics (formerly De. Kalb Swine Breeders) PIC, USA 14

PIC, USA Has the largest share of U. S. commercial pig market l Camborough females are most popular sow line: 15 or 22 l » Large White x Landrace x Duroc 15

Pigs at TTU Farm l Newsham sows l PIC USA gilts and young sows 16