Scottish Highland cattle

The Scottish Highland is one of the oldest breeds of cattle in the world. Going as far back in time as the sixth century, some historians believe the ancestors of today’s Scottish Highland may have come to Scottish shores from Scandinavia with the Vikings.

Many of today’s Highland breeders subscribe to the theory that the Scottish Highland resulted from the crossing of two ancient Asiatic breeds of cattle called the Bos Longifronsm and the Bos Primigenius. From the Bos Longifronsm the Highland got its long horns, and from the Bos Primigenius, its profuse coat.
However the breed originated, the Scottish Highland obtained many of its characteristics in the Highlands and west coastal islands of Scotland. Exposed to North Atlantic gales and a very severe winter climate, the Scottish Highland evolved to be a tough, self-sufficient breed.

Scottish breeders of the subsequent centuries recognized these invaluable traits in their cattle, and worked to preserve them. Crofters, small farmers who lived in the Scottish high country, relied on the Scottish Highland for survival. The breed’s milk, meat and hair were a source of sustenance for these farmers, and the calves were a valued trade commodity within Scotland and in England.

Although most of today’s Scottish Highland cattle are red or yellow in color, most of the old-time Highland cattle were black. Called Kyloes, these cattle were found mostly on the islands and were on the smaller side. West Highlands, on the other hand, were larger and lived on the mainland. Their reddish coats predominate in modern examples of the breed.

In 1884, the Scottish Highland Cattle Society was formed in the United Kingdom to help preserve the purity of the Scottish Highland breed. Since that time, breed associations have been formed for the Scottish Highland in the United States, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Germany, Australia and New Zealand.

Breeds Of Pigs

While this index is not 100% complete for all breeds, nor does it contain all the information available for all breeds, it does give you an idea of what you are looking for when you go to purchase a pig. This is where it gets a little tricky. Some highly crossed pigs will resemble a specific breed. It is in your best interest to see both parents before purchasing a pig for breeding. 

Berkshire
A Berkshire shall be:

A black and white animal with erect ears exhibiting Berkshire character.
A Berkshire must have white on all four legs, face and tail (unless tail is docked). One of the white leg points may also be missing.
Must be ear notched within seven days of birth.( This goes for all pigs requiring ear notches)
A Berkshire must NOT have a solid white or a solid black face from the ears forward.
A Berkshire must NOT have a solid black nose.
White is allowed on the ears, but NO solid white may appear on the ears.
Occasional splash of white may appear on the body.
The Berkshire, as seen above, has a few characteristic traits that makes them stand out.

Mulefoot

Mulefoot hogs as mainly black, with occasional animals having white points; medium flop ears; and a soft hair coat

1. Solid, non-cloven hoof.
2. Solid black.( a few white points accepted.)
3. Medium pricked ears. Falling forward not covering the entire face.

Tamworth

The other red pig. Most notable about the Tamworth breed is it’s ability to forage for itself. The Tamworth are originally from central England in the counties of Stafford, Warwick, Leicester, and
Northhampton. While the color may resemble that of a Duroc, the Tamworth is not to be confused with it’s red cousin.
Tamworth Pig Standards
1.Golden-red, abundant, straight and fine and as free from black hairs as possible.
2. Face slightly dished, wide between the ears, jowl light.
3. Ears, large and erect
4. Black hair and black spots are objectionable.

Large Black

 The large Black is known for it’s ability to raise large litters out of doors while being excellent foragers.
Large Black Pig Standards
1. Solid Black snout to tail
2. Large lop ears covering the eyes
3. Long strait face and snout4. Long deep bodies


Hereford

The life blood of our Hereford Breed of hogs is its breeders. Breeders progress and prosperity depend on the kind of hogs raised.
Color Description Updated:
To be eligible for registration they must have 2/3 white face and 2/3 red body. They can not have any white beyond the middle of the shoulders and over the back. They can not have any belt. They must have at least 3 white legs 1 inch high and must go all the way around the leg.

Poland China

Poland China’s are sort of a mystery pig. While the breed can be traced back to a few Ohio counties, it is not known exactly which breeds influenced the creation of the Poland China. Pigs during this era needed to be large and travel easy to get themselves to market.
Poland Chinas fit the bill perfectly.
Poland China Breed Standards:
1: Must be black with six white points (face, feet and switch) with an occasional splash of white on the body. A hog may not possess more than one (1) solid black leg and be determined as a Poland China.
2: Must have ears down (floppy)
3: Must not have evidence of a belt formation.
4: Can not have red or sandy hair / and or pigment.

Chester White

Chester Whites are classified as Heritage Hogs and are known for superior mothering abilities, durability, and soundness.
Chester White Breed Standards:
1: Must be completely white
2: Possesses a dished face
3: has medium fall floppy ears
4: has a full thick coat

You can see in the image that the Chester White’s ears do not lay fully flat over the eyes. Also the Chester White is typically a more pure white hog when compared to Yorkshires and Landrace. Chester Whites have been preferred by packing houses for their superior muscle and white skin which dresses out to a light pink. The Chester White is
known as a Heritage Breed.

Landrace

Landrace are white in color. Their ears droop and slant forward with its top edges nearly parallel to the bridge of a straight nose. Landrace, which are noted for their ability to farrow and raise large litters, are the fifth most recorded breed of swine in the United States.

Landrace Breed Markings and Registration Requirements
No animal to be used for breeding purpose shall be eligible to record:
1. On which there is any hair other than white on any part of the animal’s body
2. Which has upright ears
3. Which has less than six functional teats on each side of the underline or has any inverted teats
4. Where an animal shows evidence of an extra dewclaw. Black spots in the skin are very objectionable and any large spots or numerous black spots located on any part of the hog makes the pig ineligible for registry.
However, a small amount of black pigmentation is allowed on the body of the animal.

Hampshire

Hampshire s are one of the oldest breeds in America. They have erect ears ( meaning they stand straight up). First let’s look at the qualifications of the breed.

Hampshire boars and gilts must meet the requirements (except color markings) along with the following to be eligible to show in a breeding animal class.
1. Black in color with a white belt totally encircling the body including both front legs and feet. Animal can have white on its nose as long as the white does not break the rim of the nose and when its mouth is closed, the white under the chin can NOT exceed what a U.S. minted quarter will cover. White is allowed on the rear legs as long as it does NOT extend above the tuber calis bone (knob of the hock).
2. Must have at least six (6) functional udder sections on each side of the underline.
3. Animals farrowed on or after January 1, 2005, the swirl is no longer a disqualification for registration.

Duroc

The color marking of all Duroc breeding hogs for registration shall be red.
(1) white feet or white spots on any part of the body with the exception of the end of the nose;
(2) black spots, no more than three, none over two inches in diameter on the body;
(3) ridgeling (one testicle) boar;
(4) less than six functional udder sections on each side of the underline.

Yorkshire

Breed Markings and Registration Requirements
The presence of one or more of the following disqualifies Yorkshire pigs from registry:
1. Less than six teats on a side
2. Any hair other than white on any part of the animal’s body
3. Total blindness
4. Hernia or ruptures
5. Hermaphroditism
6. Cryptorchidism
7. One testicle or any pronounced abnormal condition of the testicles
8. Black spots in the skin are very objectionable and any large spots or
numerous black spots located on any part of the hog makes the pig
ineligible for registry
9. Evidence of an extra dewclaw. However, a small amount of black
pigmentation is allowed on the body of the animal.