European Local Pig Breeds - Diversity and Performance. A study of project TREASURE

Abstract

Traits of interest concerning reproductive performance, growth performance, carcass and meat quality of local pig breeds involved in H2020 project TREASURE were collected from the available literature, unpublished data available to partners or results recorded in the experiments within the project. The survey revealed great variability in the availability and quality of information. Reproductive performance of local pig breeds is lower than in conventional modern pig breeds, not only due to their genetic background but also due to the management. Data on growth rates reflect the heterogeneity of different production systems and feeding regimes used. The growth potential of the majority of local pig breeds is not well exploited, and their nutritional requirements are not known. Generally, local pig breeds show low muscular development and high potential for fat tissue deposition and are slaughtered at older age and weight, which results in higher intramuscular fat and more intense colour of meat. However, considerable differences exist between them and their potentials, not only in their production systems. For many local pig breeds studied in the project, the collected information provides the first in-depth overview of their productive performance in their preserved, present-day phenotype.

Tracing selection signatures in the pig genome gives evidence for selective pressures on a unique curly hair phenotype in Mangalitza

“…The special appearance of its hair coat results from the existence of two curled hair types, namely bristles and additionally pronounced wool hair, which can only be found for this degree in wild boars 20,21 . Besides Mangalitza, curly hair exists only in few other pig breeds including the Turopolje pig 22 , Canastrao pig from Brasilia 23 or the Mexican Cuino pig 24,25 expressing a curly and/or hairless type there and was in earlier times exhibited in the extinct Lincolnshire curly-coated pig 26 .…”

Understanding consumers' perceptions towards Iberian pig production and animal welfare

“…However, the scarcity of existing hectares of dehesa and an orientation towards more economically profitable intensive production systems by Iberian pig farmers limit the number of pigs that are produced exclusively with natural resources (Mesías et al, 2009). Because of that, the increase in Iberian pig production has resulted in the use of crossbreeds between Iberian and Duroc and in the more intensive production, expanding even outside the traditional regional framework of this breed (Nieto et al, 2019) and reaching 10% of the total number of Spanish pigs (MAPA, 2019). This has generated the possibility of finding different categories of Iberian pork products with different qualities and production systems in the market (Tejerina et al, 2012).…”

Pork Quality of Two Lithuanian Breeds: Effects of Breed, Gender and Feeding Regimen

“…Despite the fact that both Lithuanian pig breeds-Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle and Lithuanian White-are close in their origin [19,20] have genetic relationships confirmed at the genomic level [21,22], and are both suitable as dam breeds, they are different breeds with regard to their phenotypic characteristics and selection. Lithuanian White pigs were developed in the 20th century under purposeful selection in the process of improving local pigs using Large White, Middle White, Edelsweine, Berkshire, and local Danish pigs [20], whereas no selection was carried out for old Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle pigs. In addition to characteristic wattles under the neck, Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle pigs usually have black spots on the body and include not only black and white but also other color variations.…”

“…In addition to characteristic wattles under the neck, Lithuanian Indigenous Wattle pigs usually have black spots on the body and include not only black and white but also other color variations. These pigs are insensitive to the sun [19]. A few decades ago, the Lithuanian White pig breed was one of the main pig breeds used in Lithuania.…”