A Complete Analysis of the Breed Characteristics and Farming Value of the Shandong Licha Black Pig

The Shandong Licha black pig is a local pig breed native to the area around Licha Township in Jiaozhou, Shandong, mainly distributed in Jiaozhou and the surrounding areas of Zhucheng, Gaomi and other places, and named after Licha where its central production area lies. It is a superior breed gradually formed under long-term farm household rearing conditions in the local area, adapted to the local climate and rearing environment, and is a representative local pig breed resource of Shandong.

This pig breed has black hair over its whole body, a sturdy constitution, and a long body, with slightly more thoracic and lumbar vertebrae than ordinary pig breeds and a correspondingly increased number of ribs, which is why it is commonly known locally as the long black pig. The Licha black pig is tolerant of coarse feed, has strong adaptability and disease resistance, good maternal qualities, and a relatively high piglet survival rate, making it fairly suitable for raising by farm households and small to medium-sized farms.

Compared with fast-growing lean-type commercial pigs, the Licha black pig grows more slowly and has a longer rearing cycle, but its intramuscular fat is relatively abundant, its meat is tender, and its aroma is rich; it tastes savory without being greasy and enjoys a good reputation in the market. Its pork is often used in high-end dishes and local specialty foods, mostly targeting consumer groups that care about meat quality.

In terms of farming and utilization, besides purebred conservation, the Licha black pig is also often used as a maternal parent in crosses with introduced lean-type breeds to balance meat quality and growth performance. Because its reproductive and growth performance is inferior to that of specialized commercial pigs, rearing requires a reasonable feed mix and well-arranged marketing schedules. In recent years, through the building of conservation farms and industrial development, this local pig breed resource is being protected and utilized better and better.