Meishan Swine
The Meishan breed is one of the oldest domesticated pig breeds in the world, originating from China. There were originally three different sub-types of the breed, “small”, “medium”, and “large”, but only “small” and “medium” Meishans exist today, with only “medium” sub-types living in the United States. Although one of the oldest breeds, in 2018 the Livestock Conservancy considered this breed to be “Critically Endangered,” estimating less than 2000 breeding animals left.
The Meishan breed was introduced
into the United States under a cooperative effort of the USDA, the University of
Illinois, and Iowa State University. This effort also imported Fengjing and Minzhu
pigs from China. In 1989, a total of 144 pigs from these breeds were shipped to the
United States. Of the 144 pigs, 99 were Meishan pigs. The Meishan pigs imported were
equally divided between the USDA, the University of Illinois, and Iowa State University.
In 2016, all research facilities dispersed their herds, allowing for genetic differentiation
instead of genetic isolation in the US.
Meishan pigs come from the region of lakes and valleys in China. They are considered Taihu pigs, deriving their name from the Taihu Lake in their region of origin. This region lies in the Mid Subtropic Belt, a narrow region between North and Central China, in the lower Changjiang River Basin and Southeast Coast. This area has a mild climate.
The breeds imported from China are slow growing and fat, but have a very good taste.
They are considered to be resistant to some diseases and are able to consume large
amounts of roughage. Meishan pigs are well fed and managed, being fed farm by-products
and water plants, as well as concentrates.
The Meishan breed is known for its wrinkled face and skin. Sows grow to be about 57.8 cm high, 100 cm around the chest, and 61.1 kg in live-weight. They have a backfat thickness of 2.5 cm and a dressing percentage of 66.8%.
Meishan pigs are perhaps one of the most prolific breeds of pig in the world. They
reach puberty at 2.5-3 months of age, achieve high embryo survival rates, and a large
litter size of 15-16 pigsoccasionally farrowing litters of 20+. It is quite common
to have two litters per year. Third and later parities of this breed had 17.0 pigs
born, with 12.9 being weaned, which are higher weaning-to-farrowing ratios than conventional
breeds. Their 240 day weight was 170.5 lbs., with an ADG of 0.75 lbs.
The American Meishan Breeders Association was established in October of 2016. This breed association has herd books for the breed and allows bloodlines to be tracked.
Meishan Breed Associations & Registries
United States
American Meishan Breeders Association
4901 Bullock Bridge Rd
Loganville, GA 30052
References
PO Box 477, 33 Hillsboro St
Pittsboro, NC 27312
American Meishan Breeders Association
4901 Bullock Bridge Rd
Loganville, GA 30052
Information compiled by Marcus Johnson, Freshman Honors Student, working with Paul O. Brackelsberg, Professor of Animal Science, Iowa State University, Ames, from Breeding and Reproduction, ASL-R644.
Further information from FAO Animal Production and Health Paper 46, Livestock Breeds of China, by Cheng Peilieu, Institute of Animal Science, Chinese Academy of Agriculture Sciences, Beijing.