Pig Breeds in Focus - British Large Black

Characteristics

Britain’s only entirely black pig.  They are very large with large loped ears covering its eyes.  Physically the Large Black is a long, deep bodied pig.  The all black colouring helps protect it from sunburn.  They are hardy, yet docile.  They are prolific breeders and known for their maternal instincts with average litters of 8-10 piglets.  They are also known to forage well.  

Average Weight

Male = 350kg

Female = 300kg

History

The British Large Black Pig was originally bred in Devon and is Britain's only entirely Black Pig.  Its origins are from a combination of black pigs from the South West of England (Devon and Cornwall) with ones form the South East (Essex, Suffolk, Kent).  The south west pigs were much more similar to those found in France, whereas the ones from the South East had been influenced by imported pigs from China.

The Large Black grew in popularity in the 19th Century and Large Black Pig Society for the breed was formed in 1898.  The popularity of the breed however reached its peak in the 1920s.  It's suitability to extensive rather than intensive farming techniques meant that after the 2nd world war it popularity continued to dwindle as farmers favoured the more commercial viable breeds especially the main 3 promoted in the 1950s to reduce diversification within the British Pig Industry.  These were the the Large Whites, the Welsh, and the British Landrace.  This was all based on the Howitt Report published in 1955.  The Large Black is currently on the Rare Breeds Survival Trusts Endangered list.

Use

A large pig that is known for the production of succulent and tasty meat.  It is especially used for Parma ham.  It is a breed that can be grown to various weights to use for different food products.  AS they are excellent foragers they are best suited to pasture based farms and are able to turn poor quality feed into high quality meat.  They are perfect for extensive farming especially on small holdings.  The bacon from a Large Black is excellent and like the Large White is know for its leanness.   However this does not take away from its flavour.  If being use more commercially it is typically crossed with Yorkshire and Middle White pigs which provides farmers with a vigorous hybrid.  The Black skin is a downside for commercial farmers as it is unappealing to mass markets.  This may however be just the USP that some small farmers need!

Its high levels and long periods of fertility also make it excellent for small scale farmers.