|
|
Background of Pork Production in U.S.Wild boars domesticated in N. Europe c.1500 B.C., are believed to be the ancestor of modern domesticated hogs, along with a genetic input from smaller Asian species domesticated in China around 3000 B.C. Pork, the meat from swine, was widely consumed throughout the ancient world and the Roman Empire. Pigs were not indigenous to the Americas, but came from Europe and the Orient. Columbus brought hogs on his second voyage to the Americas in 1493. Polynesians may have brought pigs from the Orient to the Hawaiian Islands even earlier.
There has also been a significant change in how and where hogs are produced
in the U.S. over the past 50 years. Low consumer prices, and therefore
low producer prices, have resulted in larger, more efficient operations,
with many smaller farms no longer able to produce pigs profitably.
There are many breeds of swine, such as Hampshire, Duroc, Poland, China,
Landrace, etc., but most farms use crossbreeds to try to gain the best
traits of each breed.
|
|