Pork Terminology Breeds M Marler Fall 2011 Swine

Pork Terminology & Breeds M. Marler Fall 2011

Swine Terminology • • • Boar-Mature male pig Sow-Mature female pig Barrow-Castrated male pig Gilt-Young, immature female pig Farrowing-The act of giving birth in swine

• Any breed ending in “–shire” has upright ears • White swine exhibit maternal characteristics.

Chester White (United States)

Chester White (United States) • White hair with drooping ears • Noted for large litters and excellent mothering ability. • Boars are aggressive breeders.

Landrace

Landrace (Denmark) • White with huge drooping ears • Longer than any other breed due to an extra vertebrae • The most prolific swine breed

Yorkshire

Yorkshire (England) • White with erect ears • Called the “mother breed” • Noted for large litters, lean carcasses, and good feed conversion

Duroc (United States)

Duroc (United States) • • Reddish brown with drooping ears Paternal breed Average carcasses Excellent growth rate and feed efficiency

Hampshire

Hampshire (United States) • Black with a white belt around the shoulders • Erect ears

Pietrain

Pietrain (Belgium) • • • Black and white spotted Erect ears Stress positive Paternal breed Early maturing

Berkshire

Berkshire (England) • • • Black body White points and nose Erect ears Excellent meat quality Fast, efficient growth