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Common U.S. Breeds of Pigs Swine Production. Breeds of Pigs. White-line breeds and crosses -- Traditionally maternal breeds Dark-colored breeds -- Traditionally meat breeds Today: Color does not matter since the color genes have been identified and manipulated. Breed Numbers. Common Breeds.
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Breeds of Pigs • White-line breeds and crosses-- Traditionally maternal breeds • Dark-colored breeds-- Traditionally meat breeds • Today: Color does not matter since the color genes have been identified and manipulated
Common Breeds -Yorkshire -Landrace -Chester White -Duroc -Hampshire -Poland China -Berkshire -Spot
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.
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.
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.
Hampshire -Terminal sire breed -Erect ears -Black with white belt -Lean and heavy muscled -Napole (RN) gene
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).
Spot -High growth rate -Lacks advantage in meat quality -Black and white spotted -Drooping ears -Boars are aggressive
Poland China -Black with six white points -Drooping ears -Developed in Ohio -Not very adaptable to intensive systems -Large loineye areas -Meaty carcasses
Chester White -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
Extremes: Meishan and Pietran -prolific (20+ pigs per litter) -very fat! -Halothane gene -extremely lean and heavy muscled
Common Commercial Crossbred Pigs Monsanto Choice Genetics (formerly DeKalb Swine Breeders) PIC, USA
PIC, USA • Has the largest share of U.S. commercial pig market • Camborough females are most popular sow line: 15 or 22 • Large White x Landrace x Duroc
Pigs at TTU Farm • Newsham sows • PIC USA gilts and young sows