Meishan
Meishan pigs in a US research center
Meishan pigs in a US research center
Country of originChina
Traits
  • Pig
  • Sus domesticus

The Meishan (Chinese: 梅山猪) is a breed of domestic pig named for the Meishan,[1] Jiangsu Province, China.[2] It is a sub-group of the Taihu pig and is a small to medium-sized (275-400 lbs) breed with large drooping ears, and wrinkled black skin. Meishan Pigs are extremely docile and renowned for their tender and flavorful red meat pork.[3]

Native to Southern China, the breed is best known for its large litters of 15-22 piglets. Due to its fecundity, it was imported to the United States in 1989 by the USDA Agricultural Research Service.[4][5] All US research on the Meishan pigs was terminated in 2016 and the remaining pigs were dispersed to US farmers.[6] In 2018 the Meishan Pig was declared critically endangered[7] worldwide by the Livestock Conservancy.

Today the Meishan Pig is the focus of a major conservation effort involving the Livestock Conservancy and the American Meishan Breeders Association.[8] The number of breeders in the US is rising primarily due to the Meishan Pigs adaptability to small holder farms.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Ekarius, Carol (2008). Storey's Illustrated Breed Guide to Sheep, Goats, Cattle and Pigs. Storey Publishing. ISBN 978-1-60342-036-5.
  2. ↑ "梅山豬種".
  3. ↑ Silvera, Rico. "Breed Description". American Meishan Breeders Association. Retrieved 2018-12-31.
  4. ↑ "Meishan Swine". ansi.okstate.edu. Oklahoma State University Dept. of Animal Science.
  5. ↑ "Chinese Pigs Provide Insight to U.S. Swine Reproduction". Agricultural Research. USDA ARS.
  6. ↑ "The Livestock Conservancy". livestockconservancy.org. Retrieved 2018-12-31.
  7. ↑ "The Livestock Conservancy". livestockconservancy.org. Retrieved 2018-12-31.
  8. ↑ "The Livestock Conservancy". livestockconservancy.org. Retrieved 2018-12-31.

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