American Yorkshire pig
Encyclopedia
The American Yorkshire, a breed of domestic pig
, is the American version of the Yorkshire pig (now usually known as the English Large White pig), white in color, with erect ears, and the most recorded swine breed in the United States
.
The Yorkshire breed was developed in Yorkshire
, England
, circa 1761. In 1830, the first Yorkshires were imported to the United States
, specifically to Ohio
, but because of their slow growth rate, they did not become popular until the late 1940s. At that time, many large Yorkshires were imported from Canada
and England
for their ruggedness and favored carcasses. The breed then improved rapidly through selection.
Today, Yorkshire pigs are found in nearly every American state, with highest populations in Illinois
, Indiana
, Iowa
, Nebraska
, and Ohio
. The modern Yorkshire is muscular with a high proportion of lean meat. Yorkshire data have been maintained with great diligence, including growth, sow productivity, and backfat formation, representing the largest source of documented livestock performance records in the world.
Domestic pig
The domestic pig is a domesticated animal that traces its ancestry to the wild boar, and is considered a subspecies of the wild boar or a distinct species in its own right. It is likely the wild boar was domesticated as early as 13,000 BC in the Tigris River basin...
, is the American version of the Yorkshire pig (now usually known as the English Large White pig), white in color, with erect ears, and the most recorded swine breed in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
The Yorkshire breed was developed in Yorkshire
Yorkshire
Yorkshire is a historic county of northern England and the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its great size in comparison to other English counties, functions have been increasingly undertaken over time by its subdivisions, which have also been subject to periodic reform...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, circa 1761. In 1830, the first Yorkshires were imported to the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, specifically to Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
, but because of their slow growth rate, they did not become popular until the late 1940s. At that time, many large Yorkshires were imported from Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
and England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
for their ruggedness and favored carcasses. The breed then improved rapidly through selection.
Today, Yorkshire pigs are found in nearly every American state, with highest populations in Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
, Iowa
Iowa
Iowa is a state located in the Midwestern United States, an area often referred to as the "American Heartland". It derives its name from the Ioway people, one of the many American Indian tribes that occupied the state at the time of European exploration. Iowa was a part of the French colony of New...
, Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
, and Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. The modern Yorkshire is muscular with a high proportion of lean meat. Yorkshire data have been maintained with great diligence, including growth, sow productivity, and backfat formation, representing the largest source of documented livestock performance records in the world.