Welsh (pig)
Encyclopedia
The Welsh is a breed of domestic pig
native to Wales
. It is a large white breed known for its hardiness in outdoor (extensive) farming and its long, pear-shaped body. First mentioned in the 1870s, the breed is currently the third most common sire in the U.K. after the Large White
and British Landrace
. The Welsh pig is not exported to many countries around the world at all despite the fact that they can produce substantially good bacon
.
and Cardigan
and also in Carmarthen
and Pembroke
. The earliest reference to the Welsh was in the 1870s and it originated from the Wild Boar like its similar breeds. After the Second World War, the Welsh pig became a great source for prosperity and the numbers grew by quite a reasonable amount, ultimately ending in 1,363 boars in the UK by 1954 and 3,736 sows bred in 1953. This breed of pig became incredibly popular in the mid-20th century and became a crucial breed for the pig industry.
are generally white in color covering a thick torso supported by strong short legs. Boars are generally 123-138 kilograms (272-308 lb) in weight and sows range from 113-129 kg (250-285 lb). In the nineteenth century, the Welsh was described to have rather long legs and to be a razorback
whilst being a slow maturer and coarse-haired. Its ribs are quite well spread across the stomach and its tail is thick. The loin
of the Welsh is very muscly and in general the pig is lean and strong.
. Previously, in 1918, the Old Glamorgan Pig Society was developed with similar goals but the 1920 group made the breed especially famous. In 2005, the breed was considered to be endangered and rare due to hybrid pig production by the corporate farming
industry which resulted in the pig population rapidly declining. The Welsh pig is bred commercially mainly because it produces high-quality bacon
and pork
. Pork chops and legs have been sold as well and the ham
is gentle and tender.
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...
native to Wales
Wales
Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²...
. It is a large white breed known for its hardiness in outdoor (extensive) farming and its long, pear-shaped body. First mentioned in the 1870s, the breed is currently the third most common sire in the U.K. after the Large White
Large White (pig)
The Large White, also known as the English Large White, is a breed of domestic pig originating in Yorkshire, hence also known as the Yorkshire pig. First recognized in 1868, the breed is the progenitor of the American Yorkshire in North America...
and British Landrace
British Landrace
The British Landrace is a British domestic breed of pig and one of the most popular in the United Kingdom. It is white with heavy drooping ears that cover most of the face and is bred for pork and bacon. The breed originated in the 1949 importation of 12 landrace pigs from Scandinavia — four...
. The Welsh pig is not exported to many countries around the world at all despite the fact that they can produce substantially good bacon
Bacon
Bacon is a cured meat prepared from a pig. It is first cured using large quantities of salt, either in a brine or in a dry packing; the result is fresh bacon . Fresh bacon may then be further dried for weeks or months in cold air, boiled, or smoked. Fresh and dried bacon must be cooked before eating...
.
History
The Welsh Pig comes from various Welsh towns. In Mid Wales, MontgomeryMontgomery, Powys
The historic county town of Montgomery in Powys, Wales lies just three miles from the English border in the Welsh Marches. It is best known for its castle, Montgomery Castle, begun in 1223, and its parish church, begun in 1227. However its origins go back much further, as seen by the Celtic Iron...
and Cardigan
Cardigan, Ceredigion
Cardigan is a town in the county of Ceredigion in Mid Wales. It lies on the estuary of the River Teifi at the point where Ceredigion meets Pembrokeshire. It was the county town of the pre-1974 county of Cardiganshire. It is the second largest town in Ceredigion. The town's population was 4,203...
and also in Carmarthen
Carmarthen
Carmarthen is a community in, and the county town of, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is sited on the River Towy north of its mouth at Carmarthen Bay. In 2001, the population was 14,648....
and Pembroke
Pembroke, Pembrokeshire
Pembroke is an historic settlement and former county town of Pembrokeshire in west Wales. The town and the county derive their name from that of the cantref of Penfro: Pen = "head" or "end", and bro = "region", "country", "land", and so it means essentially "Land's End".-History:The main point of...
. The earliest reference to the Welsh was in the 1870s and it originated from the Wild Boar like its similar breeds. After the Second World War, the Welsh pig became a great source for prosperity and the numbers grew by quite a reasonable amount, ultimately ending in 1,363 boars in the UK by 1954 and 3,736 sows bred in 1953. This breed of pig became incredibly popular in the mid-20th century and became a crucial breed for the pig industry.
Description
The modern Welsh has quite a wide head with lopped ears and a straight nose. The shoulders are flat at the top supporting a strong back. The skin and coatCoat (animal)
Coat, or the nature and quality of a show mammal's pelage, is important to the animal fancy in the judging of the animal, particularly at conformation dog shows, cat shows and horse shows...
are generally white in color covering a thick torso supported by strong short legs. Boars are generally 123-138 kilograms (272-308 lb) in weight and sows range from 113-129 kg (250-285 lb). In the nineteenth century, the Welsh was described to have rather long legs and to be a razorback
Razorback
Razorback is an Americanism, loosely applied to any type of feral pig or wild boar in North America. The term has also appeared in Australia, to describe said animals in that country.-Introduction to the Americas:...
whilst being a slow maturer and coarse-haired. Its ribs are quite well spread across the stomach and its tail is thick. The loin
Loin
The loins are the sides between the lower ribs and pelvis, and the lower part of the back. It is often used when describing the anatomy of humans and quadrupeds . The anatomical reference also carries over into the description of cuts of meat from some such animals, eg...
of the Welsh is very muscly and in general the pig is lean and strong.
Breeding and Use
The Welsh Pig did not become entirely well-known until 1920 when the Welsh Pig Society was formed in Wales, with specific purpose of protecting and promoting the Welsh pig breed. Their additional aim is to spread the fact that the Welsh pig is sublime for commercial farmingCommercial agriculture
Commercial Agriculture refers to a process of large-scale production of crops for sale, intended for widespread distribution to wholesalers or retail outlets. In commercial farming crops such as wheat, maize, tea, coffee, sugarcane, cashew, rubber, banana, cotton are harvested and sold into world...
. Previously, in 1918, the Old Glamorgan Pig Society was developed with similar goals but the 1920 group made the breed especially famous. In 2005, the breed was considered to be endangered and rare due to hybrid pig production by the corporate farming
Corporate farming
Corporate farming is a term that describes the business of agriculture, specifically, what is seen by some as the practices of would-be megacorporations involved in food production on a very large scale...
industry which resulted in the pig population rapidly declining. The Welsh pig is bred commercially mainly because it produces high-quality bacon
Bacon
Bacon is a cured meat prepared from a pig. It is first cured using large quantities of salt, either in a brine or in a dry packing; the result is fresh bacon . Fresh bacon may then be further dried for weeks or months in cold air, boiled, or smoked. Fresh and dried bacon must be cooked before eating...
and pork
Pork
Pork is the culinary name for meat from the domestic pig , which is eaten in many countries. It is one of the most commonly consumed meats worldwide, with evidence of pig husbandry dating back to 5000 BC....
. Pork chops and legs have been sold as well and the ham
Ham
Ham is a cut of meat from the thigh of the hind leg of certain animals, especiallypigs. Nearly all hams sold today are fully cooked or cured.-Etymology:...
is gentle and tender.