PIGS

Domestic swine are derived from 2 sources. These are the European wild hog, //Sus scrofa// and the Indian or Asian hog, //Sus vitattus//. Hernando de Soto introduced European hogs to Haiti and Florida in 1539. Additional importation occurred to Jamestown in 1609. In about 1840, pig production became centralized in the grain belt. Today around 70lb of pork is consumed per person per year. Dominant swine producing states are Iowa (25% of total), Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Minnesota. The world population of swine is around 846 million pigs.

Forty percent of the world's pigs are in China and around 50 million in the USA. Demand has changed from the very fat lard-type hog to a meat-type hog. All current breeds are meat-type. Breeds are distinguishable by ear type. Ears can be erect or drooped. =__THE YORKSHIRE PIG__= Yorkshires are white in color and have erect ears. They are the most recorded breed of swine in the United States and in Canada. They are found in almost every state. The modern Yorkshire is verey muscular with a high proportion of lean meat and low backfat, in addition to being very sound and durable. The Yorkshire breed was developed in England in the county of York. Later the name was changed to "English Large White" but it is known as Yorkshire throughout most of the rest of the world. There are three types of hogs referred to as the Yorkshire: the large, the middle and the small types. Only the large type has ever gained any prominence in the United States. Today, Yorkshires are productive, yet more performance oriented and more durable than ever. The goal of the Yorkshire breed is to be a source of durable mother lines that can contribute to longevity and carcass merit. The motto of "The Mother Breed And A Whole Lot More" indicated the improvement and changes that the industry has seen.

**__LANDRACE PIG__** The landrace pig is the least recoreded pig out of the main four pigs. Landrace are white in color. Their ears droop and slant forward with its top edges nearly parallel to the bridge of a straight nose. Landrace are noted for their ability to farrow and raise large litters. The American Landrace descended from the Danish Landrace that had its origin in 1895. At that time the Large White Hog was brought from England and crossed with the native swine. After that infusion the Landrace was developed and improved by selection and testing. It was mainly through the use of Landrace that Denmark became the chief bacon-exporting country. To protect this position, Denmark for many years refused to export purebred Landrace breeding stock. The Landrace breed is promoted on its ability to cross well with other breeds. As well Landrace are known for their length of body, high percentage of carcass weight in the ham and loin, and ideal amount of finish. Landrace are prolific sows that farrow large pigs and which are exceptionally heavy milkers. These traits have designated the Landrace breed as "America's Sowherd".



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