Pork Terminology & Breeds

M. MarlerFall 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