Introduction to the Swine Industry

1
Introduction to theSwine Industry

• AnS 225
• Fall 2009

2
Origin and Domestication of the Pig

• Pigs Hogs Swine Pork
• Domestication occurred first in East India and
  China, then in Europe, then in U.S.
• Large human population in China - pigs confined
  to small households and farms earlier than in
  Europe
• Pigs evolved into more docile animals that were
  dependent on man for food supply
• Chinese pigs - smaller in size, wider and shorter
  heads, shorter legs, and very fat
• Records in China are vague - no breed society

3
Domestication of the Pig

• Differentiation into local races (breeds)
  occurred more in pigs than other species
• People could not move pigs with them as easily as
  cattle, sheep, horses
• Domestication caused several changes in body type
  and skeletal size
• Sus scrofa -- genus and species of domestic pig
• European wild boar - black, course hair, large
  long head, large tusks, narrow body
• East Indian pig - smaller and more refined

4
Ancestors
Wart Hog - India
Peccary Central South America
5
Ancestors
Wild Boar
Wild Pigs -- Florida
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European Wild Boar
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Introduction to the U.S.

• Columbus took 8 pigs on his second voyage to Cuba
  in 1493
• De Soto -- father of American pork industry
• 13 pigs introduced at Tampa Bay, Florida in 1539
• Herd grew to 700 three years later
• Other explorers brought pigs to North America
• Semi-wild pigs roamed throughout the colonies
• Long, solid wall constructed on north edge of
  Manhattan Island to control roaming pigs -- Wall
  Street

8
Early History

• After Revolutionary War, pioneers headed west and
  took pigs with them
• Need for processing facilities developed
• Packing plants built in major cities
• Cincinnati - first pork packing center - known as
  Porkopolis
• Center of production
• Location - shipping on OH and MI rivers
• Chicago later became pork packing center of the
  U.S.

9
Early Popularity of Pigs in U.S.

• Pigs were relatively easy to raise
• Suitability of corn as major feedstuff
• Pork could be easily cured and stored prior to
  refrigeration
• Need for fats and high-energy foods for laborers

10
Further Development

• Refrigerated railroad car introduced after Civil
  War -- slaughter operations located near
  production instead of consumption
• Large terminal markets - Chicago, Kansas City,
  St. Joseph, Sioux City
• Large plants located next to stockyards
• Pork industry relocated to upper Midwest - near
  grain production
• Corn Belt became known as Hog Belt - IA, IL, MN,
  NE, IN, MO