Choosing a breed of pig suitable for your farm or self sufficient property is fairly important, as pigs come in all different sizes and temperaments and have there own qualities according to the breed you choose, some breeds are preferred for bush and open pasture other breeds are more suitable for pens and enclosures.
There are two distinct sectors of breed, the commercial breeds these are raised in huge quantities and are breed for meat production on large farms, they do not have a fantastic taste and there meat maybe dry and bland, and they are not breed for open pasture, they require huge amounts of feed to raise to marketable size.
The other are the Heritage breeds these pigs are the more traditional ones breed for small farms and self sufficient properties, there breed lines have been around for centuries, these type of pigs are breed to roam the open pasture feeding off the grass and bugs they find in the soil and they do not require the pig meal that the commercial breeds need.
American Yorkshire
This breed was originally from England and further breed in the United States, the meat has been developed and refined for bacon and ham production and has a great flavor for the self sufficient property.
Berkshire
Another popular pig breed, this breed goes back centuries and is one of the oldest pig breeds around, Berkshire pigs have a good temperament and they are very hardy animals suitable for most small farming situations, they are also one of the larger breeds available and can grow to three hundred kg.
Hampshire Pigs
The Hampshire is an other old breed of domestic pig and very suitable for self sufficient properties they can be let out into the pasture and are more than happy to find there own food.
Large Black Breed
The Large Blacks are breed for there bacon quality and they originally come from England and have been refined around the world, this breed is also suitable for feeding in open pasture and they are a hardy breed as well.