One of the oldest British breeds. They are mostly black, often with white socks and white markings on the face and tip of the tail. They are early maturing. Their meat is juicy, tender and flavorful. It is popular with artisanal chefs.The original Berkshire was reddish or sandy colored hog, sometimes spotted. Later this basic stock was refined with a cross of Siamese and Chinese blood, bringing the color pattern we see today along with the quality of more efficient gains. This was the only outside blood that has gone into the Berkshire breed during the time of recorded livestock history. For 200 years the Berkshire bloodstream has been pure. The excellent carcass quality of Berkshire pigs made them an early favorite with the upper class of English farmers. For years the Royal Family kept a large Berkshire herd at Windsor Castle.
The focus on meat quality remains the foundation of the Berkshire breed. Compared to commodity pork, purebred Berkshire pigs produce chops, roasts and other pork cuts that are well marbled and consistently tender, juicy and highly palatable. Because of superior eating qualities, Berkshire pork receives a premium status.
HAMPSHIRE
These hogs are black with a white belt that extends from one front leg, over the shoulder, and down the other front leg. They have erect ears and are popular for their lean, meaty carcasses.
YORKSHIRE
The Yorkshire breed is white in color, with erect ears. Yorkshires are the most recorded breed in the United States and Canada. Yorkshire are popular because of their muscular, low back fat, high percent lean carcasses. More importantly, Yorkshires are durable, sound hogs that are excellent mothers. Yorkshires are known as .the mother breed. because of the outstanding milking and mothering abilities.
DUROC
These hogs, noted for their fast growth and good feed efficiency, are a reddish color with droopy ears. On the average, this breed needs less feed to make a pound of muscle than the other breeds
Landrace
Landrace are white hogs with large floppy ears that hang parallel to the bridge of their nose. Landrace are known for their mothering ability, large litter sizes, and good milking ability. Landrace cross well with other breeds and produce long bodied offspring. When harvested, Landrace are known for producing a high percentage of carcass weight.