British Landrace

Like all the Landrace strains that are to be found in the north European countries, the British strain is white in color, has the characteristic heavy drooped ear that covers much of the face, is very long, muscular and is known for producing high quality pork. According to a pamplet published by the Landrace Breed Committee of the National Pig Breeders Association, British Landrace have been found to produce less back fat than the other British breeds in tests and have been found to have the most rapid growth in gilts and second most rapid growth in young boars. The same studies found them to be longer and to have the highest percentage of high priced cuts, with 36.5% of the side being ham and rump.

The English first imported Landrace from Denmark in 1949 and used them in experimental studies. In 1953, further importations of registered breeding stock were officially made and the breed society was formed. It amalgamated with the National Pig Breeders’ Association in 1978. Now, in turn, England has been exporting some of its best Landrace to other countries around the world. While these exports are not as numerous as England’s exportations of the Large White, they are nevertheless sizable and easily second in English swine exportations of breeding stock.

The British Landrace have the same high prolificacy and docility that is common among Landrace swine. The sows and their litters do well in confinement systems. The ability of the Landrace boar to sire crossbred pigs for bacon or for other commercial slaughter has made them increasingly popular. Sows that result from crosses of Large White and Landrace dominate the majority of British hybrid sow herds.

Today, the British Landrace is found scattered throughout England, but its greatest concentration is in the major pork producing areas of the Eastern counties and in Yorkshire. Its popularity has also spread to Northern Ireland and Scotland.