Category:Hereford Hog

The first hogs known as Herefords originated on the farm of R.U. Webber of La Plata, Missouri. Mr. Webber was said to have made his first crosses in about 1902, and these ultimately involved several breeds. He is quoted in an article in the Journal of Heredity by Anderson and Bonsma as having said his hogs were "a cross of white and red-blooded stock Duroc, Chesters, and OIC's (Ohio Improved Chesters) and a peculiar blood strain on graft." It is reported by the secretary of the National Hereford Hog Record Association that Mr. Webber did not cooperate with breeders that obtained his original development, and none of the present-day Hereford Hogs trace to the Webber blood lines.

In the years 1920 to 1925, a group of breeders in Iowa and Nebraska, led by John Schulte, from Norway, Iowa, established a breed that was also called Hereford. Modern specimens of the breed trace to this foundation. These men had definite goals in mind as to type, color, conformation, superior feeding qualities, and other favorable characteristics to develop their foundation stock. Both Duroc and Poland China blood lines were used to a considerable extent in a judicious program to develop superior foundation stock.

In 1934, about one hundred animals were selected as foundation stock. These were from the herds of John Schulte, Noway, Iowa; Lunt Brothers, New Sharon, Iowa; A.J. Way, New Sharon, Iowa; Henry Weimers, Dillen, Nebraska; G.P. Rue, Nickerson, Nebraska; and P.W. Mitchel, Van Meter, Iowa.

Color Pattern
Hereford Hogs have a white face, not less than two-thirds red exclusive of face and ears, with at least two white feet - white showing not less than one inch above the hoof. They are either light or dark red, with a deep red color preferred. they rarely have a white belt, carries more than one-third white - exclusive of the head and ears, or have swirls.

Conformation and Size
The Hereford has the same general body type or conformation as hogs of other major breeds. They have a medium length of face with a slight dish and carry a drooping ear of at least medium size. It is not as trim about the jowl and has a longer neck than most breeds.

The advocates of the Hereford breed maintain that, although a relatively new breed, it is prepotent and breeds quite true in color pattern, with at least 90 percent of the offspring of well marked Herefords carry acceptable color markings. The sows are prolific and good mothers, comparing favorably in these respects with those of other breeds. Hereford hogs are fair grazers, good feeders, and fatten readily.