Meishan Pigs

Pronounced MAY-shonn

Why Meishans?

• Prolific breeders — 16–20+ teats are common; litters of 12–18+ piglets are not unusual
• Lard pigs with sought-after meat — red, marbled pork and abundant, high-quality lard
• Fast-growing for a heritage breed — slower than commercial terminal hogs, but they reach a mature size of roughly 400–500 lbs more readily than many popular heritage breeds
• Docile temperament — the #1 reason we love them: quiet, lazy (in the best way), gentle with kids and other livestock, and easy on pastures

History

For over 5,000 years, Chinese farmers in the lakes-and-valleys region near the Yangtze River have carefully selected and refined a unique group of pigs. The Meishan, part of that ancient Taihu family of breeds, is widely regarded as one of the oldest surviving pig breeds in the world.

In 1989, after a decade of negotiations, the USDA partnered with Iowa State University and the University of Illinois to import 99 pure Meishan pigs from China. The animals were divided equally among the three research sites and kept in genetic isolation for roughly 25 years as randomly bred populations. Iowa State dispersed its herd between 2008 and 2010; the University of Illinois and USDA herds followed in 2016.

Virtually all pure, registered Meishan pigs in the United States today descend from the 12 foundation animals acquired in 2016 from the last University of Illinois and USDA research stock (plus a few Iowa State descendants). These 12 pigs, representing the three isolated research lines, became the seed stock of the American Meishan Breeders Association founded that same year.

Firefly Homestead is proud to be among the early registered Meishan breeders in Ohio.

Pork, Feeders & Breeding Stock

We raise Meishans both to put outstanding pork on tables and to help other homesteaders get started with the breed. Depending on litters and the season, we may offer:

• Pastured hanging-weight pork — half or whole shares by hanging weight
• Registered breeding stock — gilts and boars for serious breeders
• Feeders / barrows — for families finishing their own pork
• Non-breeding gilts — available with an agreement that protects breed integrity (breeding rights can be arranged separately)

Reserve pork from the Certified Meishan Pork listing — processing dates, share sizes, deposits, and how buying works are there. For breeding stock or feeders, send us a message.

Learn More

For more information about the breed, please visit:

• American Meishan Breeders Association (AMBA) — North American herd book and registration for pure Meishan pigs
• The Livestock Conservancy — Meishan breed profile, conservation status, and history