The Dutch Landrace pig was originated by the crossing between native pigs of the area with the German Landrace breeds and the Danish Landrace. The breed is mainly found in the southern, eastern, and northern regions of the country. At the end of the 60s and 70s, the boom in pig production in the Netherlands was a very high rate. The production of pigs was carried out in more than 140,000 farms, reaching 3 million pigs.
At the beginning of the 1980s, this rate tripled, but the number of farms for raising pigs fell. Arriving at 41.000 farms, however, more than 10 million pigs were produced and counted to date. In Holland, pork production has been important in the economy, and a very profitable business. Since the meat of this breed is not only used only for consumption but 60% of the meat produces is export and sold to other countries. The Dutch Landrace has a close relationship with the German. And is widespread in Europe as in Spain, and can even be found even in Japan.
Characteristics of Dutch Landrace Pig
The Dutch Landrace pig maintains the same characteristics as other Landrace breeds. This breed has a pink, beige coat and even white individuals have been found. It also has large ears and they are somewhat drooping and are direct forward. It is a large breed when the breed is adult the male can weigh up to 230 to 320 Kg. This breed has a curvature in the back, and its legs are short in size. Besides, this race is long enough.
Its body in the front is shorter, but its back is wider. This is why the production of ham of this breed is higher than other breeds. While adult females reach a weight between 200 and 270 Kg. The race is also known for high fertility and the ability to be a very good mother. The difference between the dutch landrace breed and other breeds from the landrace branch is that it produces hams of higher proportion and weight. You may also like to read German Landrace pig
This breed can produce several births in a year, producing between 2 and 3 liters per year. Each birth of this breed produces between 6 and 10 offspring. The females being so maternal and careful with their offspring ensure a lower percentage of lost offspring compared to other breeds. In addition, females have good milk production, which ensures that the young will be well fed and will grow fast. The meat producers of this breed usually sacrifice the males when they obtain a weight between 160 and 170 Kg.
Usage
The Dutch Landrace pig has been developed to have larger and heavier backs and hams, such as those found in some Landrace strains. In addition, this breed is also used to cross with other species, either by artificial insemination or as procreators. Although the majority of swine production in the Netherlands is a mixed breed, it is the Landrace Dutch females that generate these offspring. You may also like to read Czech Improved White Pig
In addition, not only useful for high fertility but also their genes make their descendants have certain improvements. One of the improvements is a greater production of meat. And in addition, their descendants also have an improvement in the quality of the meat. In addition, this breed is very intelligent and has very good interaction with people, which is why this breed is also used as a pet.
Food
The Dutch Landrace Pig is used to eating plants and one or the other animal. However, they are not too picky about what it eats! They drink between 35-45 liters a day which makes them very economical animals for farmers to use on their property (especially considering we’re in an age where water isn’t always readily available).
Special Features
The Dutch Landrace pig breed is progeny tested. Once these tests are complete, the males of this breed are subject to sexual performance tests. Being qualify as excellent in this area, its sperm is chosen for sale in artificial insemination associations. In addition, this breed is very resistant and makes it adapt perfectly to any type of climate.
Even its resistance is so much that this race passes halothane tests, so it isolates individuals that are not resistant, nor are they good for meat production. Being a breed that identifies Holland, the quality standards of the meat are tested by means of tests carried out on this breed. That is why the exports of pork from the Netherlands have a good guarantee of quality. Even within the breeding programs of this breed, it is common for meat quality tests to be done.
FAQ
What is the landrace pig known for?
The landrace pig is a type of domestic pig that is renowned for its versatility and longevity. It is one of the oldest breeds of pigs still in existence today, tracing its roots back to the 16th century. Landrace pigs are hardy animals that have been bred for thousands of years for their meat production traits, such as high-muscle weight and leanness.
What is a Dutch pig?
A Dutch pig is a type of domestic pig that is bred in the Netherlands. These pigs are known for their high quality meat, which is why they are often used in commercial pork production. Dutch pigs are also popular as pets, and they can be found in many homes across the country.
What is the origin of a landrace pig?
The origin of the landrace pig can be traced back to the wild boar, which was domesticated by early humans over 10,000 years ago. Landrace pigs were bred from native wild boar populations in Central Europe and later spread to Northern Europe in the Middle Ages. Landrace pigs are a type of domestic pig known for their long bodies and wide-ranging coloration. They were originally developed to be efficient foragers that could convert roughage into an abundant source of pork products like bacon, ham and sausage.
Conclusion
The Dutch Landrace pig is a native breed of the Netherlands and was developed by crossing German, Danish and local pigs. This popular heritage breed can be found in many different areas throughout the nation but mainly occupies southern, eastern and northern parts of the country. Pigs have been raised on more than 140,000 farms with production reaching 3 million animals annually during its boom time from 1960 to 1980s. They are also called Hollandse landrasch-kwartelpigs or just “Dutch” for short!
As a Reference: Wikipedia
