what is this

•Black with white feet, face and tip of tail - 6 white points (typical) •Ears erect and small, short snout •High quality pork color and marbling •Came from Berkshire, England in 1823 •Original stock was red •The Berkshire is one of the oldest of the improved breeds of swine.

Berkshire

Terminal sire breeds

Berkshire, Duroc, Hampshire, Poland China, Spotted Poland China, and Pietrain

•White, large frame Small, droopy ears •Named for Chester County, Pennsylvania •Popularity has declined due to competition from Yorkshire and Landrace breeds •Sows are noted for mothering ability, large litters, rapid growth

Chester White

what are the maternal breeds

Chester White, Landrace, and Yorkshire

•Red, golden yellow to dark red •Droopy ears •Used in crossbreeding systems as terminal sires (superior genetics) •Prolific, good mothering •Produce large quantities of milk •One of most popular breeds in the US: longevity and prolific

Duroc

•Black with white belt around shoulders Upright ears •Low amount of fat - high quality carcass (leading) •Ancestors from Hampshire, England •Used mainly as a terminal sire breed •"Old English Breed", proficient, hardy vigor, foraging ability, and outstanding carcass quality.

Hampshire

What state is the top pig raiser

Iowa

•Long-bodied, lean jowl, flat back and white Large drooping ears •Relatively new to the U.S. •Imported for experimental use-used for bacon export in Denmark •Prized for maternal milk production and weaning large litters in commercial setting

Landrace

•Spotted, medium frame •Erect ears, short legs •Color pattern similar to spotted swine - black/white or white/black •May have red hairs in coat, may have stripe or blaze on face •Heavily muscled •More lean meat than most breeds •Boars used as terminal sires •Poor meat quality - pale and watery •Cross for high carcass hybrids

Pietrain

•Colored like Berkshires, black 6 white points •Droopy ears, trim head, large •Known for appetite, growth rate, muscling and hardiness •Considered too fat by many commercial producers •Seldom used in commercial crossbreeding plans Developed in Ohio

Poland China

•Black with white spots or white with black spots •Small ears that droop over the eyes •Rugged -- suited for outdoor production •Good growth rate and durability •Aggressive breeders •Considered too fat for commercial production •Desired color: 50: 50, minimum 20% white

Spot or Spotted Swine (Spotted Poland China)

•Long body and deep sided •White Upright ears •May be most common breed in the world •Known for maternal traits "mother breed" -- farrow and wean large litters (prolific) •Came from Yorkshire, England •Slow growth rate

Yorkshire

•Barrow - castrated male pig or hog

castrated male hog

sow

mature female pig

Boar

mature male

pork

meat from swine

pig

newborn or very young pig

What rank is the US in pig raising

third

gilt

young female pig

shoat

young male pig

What are the eight major US breeds

•Berkshire •Chester white •Duroc Hampshire •Landrace •Poland china •Spotted swine •Yorkshire

most common commercial breeds

•Landrace •Poland china •Spotted swine •Yorkshire