Homegrown Acres Standards

Most breeders that post standards use the ones developed by breed associations. These are sometimes sufficient but often include characteristics that make good show hogs instead of good breeding or pork hogs. Although a pretty appearance is desirable it is easy to penalize an otherwise good pork hog based on traits that have nothing to do with the quality of its pork. Additionally some show standards support hogs that are fine boned and lean; which looks good on stage but is not appropriate for a sow that needs to carry the heavy load of a full litter. So we designed our standards with a preference toward the actual utility of the hog rather than its ability to win awards. Additionally, since it is hard for inexperienced people to tell a good piglet from a bad one, and we sell our hogs as piglets, we developed our standards to focus on those traits that are evident in piglets and that will help predict the outcome when the piglet matures.

HEAD
Well proportioned. Medium length, broad and clean between the ears. Clear eyes and alert gaze. Nostrils without deformity inhibiting breathing. Slight (but not deep) dished look acceptable.

EARS
Long and full mobility without inherent deformity. Ability to hear from both ears. Tears, cuts and scratches are acceptable but should not interfere with hearing or eyesight. Ear tag must be placed high and back in the ear so as to not interfere with eyesight when mature.

JOWLS, TEETH AND CHEEKS
Full use and mobility of lower jaw. No cut or cracked teeth. No cleft palate. No obstruction preventing effective swallowing of food.

NECK
Full use and mobility. Strong upper neck muscles.

CHEST
Moderately wide and balanced when viewed from front.

SHOULDERS, HIPS AND LEGS
Full use and mobility. Strong muscles and not markedly raised above back line. Vertical leg alignment when viewed from front or back. Thin bones unacceptable. Strong and straight pasterns. Straight toes.

BACK
Strong muscles and relatively level back. Straight backbone alignment. Long length for Large Blacks.

SIDES
Belly and flank evenly deep. Well-filled line from ribs to hams.

BELLY
Not overly dished or extended. Minimum of 14 evenly spaced teats (not important for feeder piglets). For boars, penile sheath must allow penis extension and testicles must have emerged.

SKIN AND HAIR
For GOS, white skin with a minimum of one spot; preference for multiple, especially over back of ears. Hair colored similar to underlying skin. For Large Blacks, dark gray or black skin with black hair.

INBREEDING
Maximum Coefficient of Inbreeding of 17%.

DIET
Fully weaned on pasture or (in the winter) hay supplemented by complete 16% pig feed.

NOTES
All registered piglets must meet these and the registry's standards. Runts will not be registered; bottle babies will not be sold as feeders.