Category:French Landrace Hog

The Landrace strains of swine were first introduced into France around 1930, but it was not until after World War II that extensive importations of registered stock were made, largely from Sweden, as Denmark was quite restrictive regarding exports. Selection in France was heavily directed for swine that suited the production environment and market requirements of France.

French Landrace are a large white breed with heavy drooping ears that point forward in the characteristic Landrace manner. They have been selected for skeletal soundness, heavy muscling, and prolificacy. Sows of the breed are said to average 19.7 pigs per year in France. Good mothering ability has been especially stressed. The hams are bulging and the rump is level and wide with the loin being very muscular.

The breed has performance characteristics that very closely approach the Large White with which it has been consistently compared. The length, freedom from fat, and bacon quality have been especially commendable, feed conversion efficiency also being a very favorable point.

The French Landrace has proven to be very popular for crossbreeding in the country from which it takes its name. At first, they were referred to as "French Swine of Danish Type," and then gradually being known as "French Landrace Swine."' The breed is commonly used as terminal boars in three-way cross programs or as the sires of crossbred sows to be used in such programs. This French strain has also been exported to a number of other countries.

Careful selection programs among the breeders of France have resulted in a specific strain of the general Landrace type, found so widely in Europe, which constitutes a worthwhile addition to the productivity and meat quality offered by the Landrace breeds.