LESSON 4.

1: BREEDS OF SWINE
PREPARED BY: RUEL R. BALANA
LEARNING
OBJECTIVES
After the lesson, you should be
able to:
1. Identify the different breeds
of swine.
2. 2. Determine the
characteristics of the
various breeds of swine.
3. 3. Discuss a brief history of
the various breeds of swine.
MODULE 4: SWINE

Module Overview
This module covers the breeds of
swine, housing and equipment,
and the feeding of different stages
of swine.
LANDRACE

 The Landrace breed originated

in Denmark. In 1934, the first
Landrace hogs were imported
into the United States for
experimental purposes by the
U.S. Department of Agriculture.
 Description Landrace hogs are
white. They are long-bodied,
and their ears lop forward and
down.
BERKSHIRE

 The Berkshire originated in England in and around

Berkshire and Wiltshire counties. The development
of the breed began during the early and mid-1700s.
 It is a medium-sized hog that produces an excellent
carcass. The animal is black with six white points.
Four white points are found on the feet. There is
also some white on the face and the tail. The head
is slightly dished, and the ears are erect.
CHESTER WHITE

 The Chester White (Figure 3) originated in Chester

County, Pennsylvania. Additional development of the
breed also occurred in Delaware County,
Pennsylvania. The original name of the breed was
Chester County White. Later the word County was
dropped from the name.
 Chester Whites must be solid white in color, with no
other color on the skin larger than a silver dollar and
no colored hair. Pigs with any areas of skin
pigmentation other than white that exceeds five in
number are disqualified. The ears of the Chester
White must be down, not erect, and of medium size.
The breed is noted for its mothering ability.
DUROC

 originated from red hogs raised in the eastern United States before
1865. The New Jersey red hogs were called Jersey Reds. In New
York, the red hogs were called Durocs. Some Red Berkshires from
Connecticut are also thought to have been included in the early
breeding.
 The color of the Duroc is red. Shades vary from light to dark, with a
medium cherry being the preferred shade. The Duroc has ears that
droop forward. The breed has good mothering ability, growth rate,
and feed conversion.
HAMPSHIRE
 The Hampshire breed is
originated in England. The first
Hampshires were imported into
the United States between 1825
and 1835. Major development of
the breed occurred in Kentucky,
where the belted hogs were
known as the Thin Rind.
 The Hampshire is black with a
white belt that encircles the
forepart of the body (Figure 5).
The forelegs are included in the
white belt.
HEREFORD
 The Hereford breed was developed
in Missouri, Iowa, and Nebraska.
Early development of the breed
occurred from 1902 to 1925.
Foundation stock used in the
development of the breed included
Duroc and Poland China.
 Herefords are red with a white face
The ears are forward drooping. To
be eligible for registry, Hereford
hogs must be at least two-thirds
red and have some white on the
face. Herefords are prolific and
good mothers.
PIETRAIN

 The Pietrain breed originated near the village of

Pietrain, Belgium, during the early 1950s. Most of
the crossbred boars sold for breeding stock today
have some Pietrain in their bloodline.
 The Pietrain breed is white with black spots. It is
medium sized with a stocky build, erect ears, and
short legs. The most distinctive feature of the
Pietrain is the extremely muscular and bulging
hams.
POLAND CHINA

 The Poland China breed originated in

the Ohio counties of Butler and
Warren. The breed was developed
between 1800 and 1850. Russian,
Byfield, Big China, Berkshire, and Irish
Grazer bloodlines were used in the
development of the breed.
 The Poland China hog is black with six
white points. The white points include
the feet, face, and the tip of the tail.
The Poland China has forwarddrooping
ears. Poland Chinas are one of the
larger breeds of swine.
SPOTTED SWINE

 The Spotted Swine breed was developed in Indiana.

It was created by crossing hogs of Poland China
breeding with spotted hogs being grown in the area.
Later crosses were made with hogs from England
called Gloucester Old Spots.
 They have a forward-drooping ear. Erect ears, red
tinted or brown spots, or a solid black head from
ears forward will cause the swine to be ineligible for
registration. The Spotted is similar to the Poland
China in body type. Breeders strive to produce a
large-frame hog with efficient weight gains and good
muscling.
TAMWORTH

 The Tamworth hog originated in Ireland.

Development of the breed took place in
England in the counties of Stafford, Warwick,
Leicester, and Northhampton. It is one of the
oldest of the purebred breeds.
 The Tamworth is red with shades varying
from light to dark. The ears are erect, and it
has a long head and snout. The sows are
good mothers and have large litters. The
breed is noted for its foraging ability.
YORKSHIRE

 The Yorkshire hog originated in England in

the county of Yorkshire, where the breed was
called Large White. Importations were made
into the United States in the 1800s.
 Yorkshires are white but the skin sometimes
has black pigmented spots called freckles.
Hogs with black spots can be registered, but
this trait is considered undesirable. The ears
are erect and the face is slightly dished.
DIFFERENCES

York Shire Chester White Landrace

White with erect ears. Long- White with small, partially White with large, drooping ears.
bodied. drooping ears Very long-bodied
DIFFERENCES

Poland China
Hampshire
Black with white on the face
Black with a white belt.
and legs. Partially drooping
Muscular
ears
DIFFERENCES

Pietrain
medium size and is white Spotted Poland China
with black spots. Around large, black-and- white
the black spots there are spots
characteristic rings of light
pigmentation that carries
white hair.