Best Breed for Extreme Desert Conditions?

[CheerioLounge]

I would like to start a couple of pigs this Spring, but I need help figuring out which breed would be best suited to a desert environment. I have 5 acres in the California high desert. It's nothing but sand and desert scrub and only a few trees planted near the house. Temperatures can go as high as 120 degrees in the summer with 10% humidity and as low as 20 degrees in the winter with only slightly higher humidity. It rarely rains, but when it does it's either a little spit or a total monsoon with possibilities of flash flooding.

My purpose in raising pigs is for meat for myself and a few neighbors. We also have a fairly large Samoan/Polynesian population in the area who are always looking for a pig to cook for family events ie: weddings, funerals, etc. and I would like to be their supplier!

So, given that information... any suggestions?

 

[77Herford]

Well pigs need to stay cool. Heat stress can cause lots of problems in pigs. As long as you have Sun shelter and a cool breeze and plenty of water they should be fine.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/swine/components/pubs/Whitney-MinimizingHeatStress.pdf

 

[CheerioLounge]

Well pigs need to stay cool. Heat stress can cause lots of problems in pigs. As long as you have Sun shelter and a cool breeze and plenty of water they should be fine.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/swine/components/pubs/Whitney-MinimizingHeatStress.pdf

Any suggestion as to a more heat tolerant breed?

 

[terri9630]

Well pigs need to stay cool. Heat stress can cause lots of problems in pigs. As long as you have Sun shelter and a cool breeze and plenty of water they should be fine.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/swine/components/pubs/Whitney-MinimizingHeatStress.pdf

Any suggestion as to a more heat tolerant breed?

We are just looking into getting a pig, but the 4-h kids around here raise a lot of hamps and durocs. I don't know if its because they handle the heat better of if they just show better here.

 

[CheerioLounge]

Well pigs need to stay cool. Heat stress can cause lots of problems in pigs. As long as you have Sun shelter and a cool breeze and plenty of water they should be fine.

http://www.extension.umn.edu/swine/components/pubs/Whitney-MinimizingHeatStress.pdf

Any suggestion as to a more heat tolerant breed?

We are just looking into getting a pig, but the 4-h kids around here raise a lot of hamps and durocs. I don't know if its because they handle the heat better of if they just show better here.

Thanks! Someone else had mentioned Duroc. I'll check it out.

 

[77Herford]

Duroc's are a great breed and disease resistant I believe. They make for a good carcass.

Mulefoots are Heat tolerant and Disease resistant but they are rare. Another breed you may consider is the Tamworth.

 

[Cabinchick]

I don't know the best breed for your area, but I can tell you about my experience. I have 2 Yorkshire/Hamp cross pigs that were born in July. From the minute we brought them home, they wallowed in their mud hole - I mean all the time. And it only got into the high 80's for maybe a couple of weeks! So far, however, they are doing very well in the snow. You may want to consider trying another farm animal

 

[CheerioLounge]

I don't know the best breed for your area, but I can tell you about my experience. I have 2 Yorkshire/Hamp cross pigs that were born in July. From the minute we brought them home, they wallowed in their mud hole - I mean all the time. And it only got into the high 80's for maybe a couple of weeks! So far, however, they are doing very well in the snow. You may want to consider trying another farm animal

Yeah... I think I've decided to go with goats!!

Thanks!!