Which breed is commonly used as a maternal line in commercial pig production and is white with long ears?

Which breed is commonly used as a maternal line in commercial pig production and is white with long ears?

• A. Chester White
• B. Yorkshire
• C. Hereford
• D. American Landrace

Answer: (D)

In commercial pig production, the maternal line is chosen for traits that directly improve litter performance: strong mothering ability, ample functional teats, and good lactation to support piglet survival and growth. American Landrace fits this role best because it is white with long, droopy ears and is renowned for excellent udder development, high teat number, and robust milk production. These maternal traits make Landrace pigs ideal as the sow line in many crossbreeding programs, helping to maximize litter size and piglet viability. While Chester White is also white and used maternally, and Yorkshire is white with erect ears, the combination of the white coat, long ears, and especially the strong maternal performance points to American Landrace as the breed described.

In commercial pig production, the maternal line is chosen for traits that directly improve litter performance: strong mothering ability, ample functional teats, and good lactation to support piglet survival and growth. American Landrace fits this role best because it is white with long, droopy ears and is renowned for excellent udder development, high teat number, and robust milk production. These maternal traits make Landrace pigs ideal as the sow line in many crossbreeding programs, helping to maximize litter size and piglet viability. While Chester White is also white and used maternally, and Yorkshire is white with erect ears, the combination of the white coat, long ears, and especially the strong maternal performance points to American Landrace as the breed described.