Choosing the right exotic breed is one of the best things you can do as a pig farmer to ensure success for your pig farm operation.

Farmers must select wisely the right exotic breed that fits the operational goal of the farm. Yet this can be a difficult problem as not all breeds will fit every operational farming plan. Some breeds have good meat quality, some are known for their large liter size, and others are fast growers and efficient feed converters. It is recommended that you first identify the operational goal of your farm and select the best breed that suits this operation.

So here is a list of the best five (5) commercial breeds you can start your pig farm with.

1. Landrace

This breed is usually spotlessly white in color with droopy ears that slants forward. It has a long body with quality ham and loin. Its lengthy body and carcass weight makes it a good choice for quality pork (lean pork). 

Landrace pigs cross well with other breeds and produce big and long-bodied offspring. They are also known for their mothering ability, large litter sizes, and good milking ability/ These attributes makes them a good choice for farmers who intend to go into the farrowing operation.

2. Durock

This breed of pig is reddish-brown in color, large-sized with a muscular body, and has droopy ears. They are a hardy and adaptable breed that can thrive in a variety of environments even in hot climates. They are highly resistant to diseases and have a long lifespan.

Duroc pigs are known for their fast growth rate and high feed efficiency. On average, Duroc pigs are able to gain between 250 and 300 pounds in about 6 to 8 months, reaching market weight at a faster rate than many other pig breeds. 

Duroc pigs are also known for their high feed efficiency, which means they are able to convert feed into weight gain more faster and efficiently than other breeds. This makes them a cost-effective choice for farmers who raise pigs for meat production.

3. Large white

This breed as the name implies is large and white and has large erect ears. They are longer in the leg than other breeds and tend to have less ham development compared to other breeds. Their head is moderately long with their face slightly dished, and their ears are pricked.

While the large white breed may not be the best quality ham and may take a longer time to mature, they have been noted for their large litter size, their heavy milk production, and for having excellent maternal instincts. Large white pigs cross well with landrace pigs and are sometimes used in crossbreeding programs to improve the genetic makeup of other pig breeds. They can farrow and nurse up to 12 to 14 piglets, making them a good choice for farrowing operations.

4. Hampshire

The typical Hampshire breed is black with a white belt extending over the front shoulders and down the front legs. Hampshires are known for being heavy-muscled, lean, aggressive hogs with erect ears.

Hampshires are a popular breed for commercial pork production due to their high growth rate and good meat quality. They are also known for their docile temperament and are generally easy to handle. Hampshires are well-suited to both indoor and outdoor housing systems and can thrive in a variety of environments.

5. Camborogh

This breed of pig is known for its high reproductive performance. The sow is highly prolific (average of 17 piglets per litter) with excellent mothering abilities. It is also known to attain maturity early and has the longest productive life among other breeds. The boar has high stamina and is full of vigor. Camborough pigs have great resistance to diseases and are super-feed converters. Camborough pigs produce lean meat with less fat 

This pig is a versatile breed that can meet any pig farming operational goal and is therefore highly recommended for pig farming.

Now that you have a good knowledge of pig breeds to choose for your pig operation, it is important to note that genetics and good breeding is not the only factor responsible for pigs' growth. You will need to learn 

In addition to choosing a breed of pig that is known for its fast growth rate, it's important to consider 4 secrets to enhance the growth rate of your pigs such as feed and nutrition, health and disease resistance, housing, and environment. By considering all of these factors, you can help ensure that your pigs grow as quickly and efficiently as possible.