PIG RACES

1. INTRODUCTION

Currently there are nearly 100 recognized domestic pig breeds, and double varieties are not recognized as races, derived from some other savage race. Breeds derived from European wild boar are classified as a subspecies of Sus scrofa domesticus, Asian and His vitatus northern European Sus scrofa ferus, Iberian breeds by his side would be His mediterraneus. Always keep in mind that any attempt at classification on our part, is but a simplification of reality. Today, almost all commercial breeds, have a significant genetic mixing. And we could generalize that result from a mixture of Sus scrofa and His vitatus in different proportions. There is a clear difference between the wild pig (boar) and domestic, domestic pig chromosomes has 2 more than the wild.

Today the productive values ​​of the various races, are due more to the selection and genetic improvements that are made, that the characteristics of the races, so the choice of either race to be conducted according production characteristics of the line of people who are going to enter the farm, and not the race they belong. Unless, of course, that is to consider legal issues to protect and / or facilitate the choice of either race.

2. LOCAL RACES

Logically, in this group are the most races, but their number is in clear regression. Each traditional area of ​​swine production has its own race. These races have a pretty bad production traits, but instead, have a great adaptation to their local environment, great resistance and better adaptation to the production specially extensive. In many cases they are highly valued locally for the quality of their products. This is the case of the Iberian pig, the value of their products on the market, has halted its decline. However, the Iberian cedar is a group of races, one race itself, gathering it to Jabugo, hairless black, or blonde, among others. And it is increasingly difficult to find purebred Iberian pigs that have not been hybridized.

Normally, local breeds or rustic, some channels have smaller, more oily, while the market every day but tends to lean carcasses. Also, the number of piglets at birth in these races is usually markedly lower than in the races selected for the production, of course.

3. LARGE WHITE

Highly valued for its maternal characteristics, this breed is commonly used in crosses as maternal line. Is also the best seen, between the races improved in resistance. The Large White is often the best race in values ​​of prolificacy, maternal qualities and milk capacity and productivity. Although it appears that gives an age of puberty of offspring later. Also found together with the Duroc, between having a higher growth rate and feed conversion. But things change when we talk about quality parameters, only the Duroc breed is rated worst in terms of carcass quality, by its noble proportions in parts and the quality of the meat. For meat quality is taken into account especially the amount of fat marbling in the muscle. However, this breed has rarely, pale white muscle exudative (PSE).

4. LANDRACE

Race versatile as it is used as a pure line, maternal or paternal. Their production rates are very similar to the Large White, but has a higher throughput of the channel and also a greater length of it, has somewhat lower values ​​in reproductive parameters, and a greater tendency to develop PSE. This breed is recognized as a lean, as it presents a low values ​​of fatness. It is, probably, with the Large White breed used.

5. DUROC

Breed of American origin, which has carved a niche because of its good qualities of both growth and meat quality, as it is very lean. In the reproductive parameters can be equated to the Large White and Landrace, although a little lower. It is often used as the male line, crossing both two and three-way. Is much less used as the mother, as though he attributed a greater "resistance" does not supply thereby lower maternal characteristics compared with Large White or Landrace.

6. PIETRAIN

Breed selected especially for the quality of its channel, along with Hampshire and Belgian White. This race is the worst growth parameters, conversion rates and reproduction of, however, has the highest percentage of noble parts, but has a lot of intramuscular fat, which is often poorly appreciated. Race is also presented in greater chances PSE.

7. BELGIAN WHITE

Productive characteristics very similar to Pietrain breed is used to improve meat quality in single or three-way crosses. And almost always, of course, are used males and rarely females. Poor mothering skills, albeit a little better than Pietrain and Hampshire breed, this breed has a low growth rate, and comparable to that of the Hampshire breed. Carcass quality very good, only surpassed by the Pietrain breed, but a high percentage of cases of PSE.

8. HAMPSHIRE

Meat breed, such as B. Belgian or Pietrain, but not just cases of PSE, as it is a breed of American origin. Productive skills has bad and good quality parameters, but without those of B. Belgian or Pietrain. It is generally used as males in crosses beef finishers, either single or three-way. This breed would normally be inserted in crosses to improve carcass quality, since the introduction of the B. Belgium Pietrain penalize or more production due to problems with the PSE.