Linderödsgrisen : en inventering av populationsstruktur och produktionsnivå

Abstract: In 1993, Sweden signed the Convention on Biological Diversity and thus agreed to conserve our indigenous biological diversity. As a part of the convention, Sweden is obliged to conserve a number of domestic animal breeds and among them the Linderöd pig. In 1952, the zoo, Skånes Djurpark, took care of a pregnant sow that was regarded to be related to the old "forest pig". The old forest pig was thought to have been extinguished by the early 20th century as a result of the ban on boars not approved by state inspectors. However, according to later accounts, several farmers still kept some of these non-approved pigs. The belief that the Linderöd pig was related to the old forest pig was confirmed at a gene bank investigation in 1992 when eight animals of the Linderöd breed were identified. Today's Linderöd pig population thus originates from these eight animals. It was in connection to the gene bank investigation that the breed association Landtsvinet was created, which now holds the main responsibility for the gene bank. Since the creation of the association the Linderöd pig population has been kept closed. The Swedish Board of Agriculture decided to describe and characterize the Linderöd pig. In view of this, a survey was sent out (Febr 6, 2008) to all recorded Linderöd keepers (n=122) with the aim of collecting information on the animal keeping and documentation about the breed. In addition, eight visits were undertaken in March, 2008. Information from the animal keepers so-called year reports sent to the breed association has been used for further information. The number of Linderöd pigs in the population has increased since the start of the gene bank, and in 2007 a total of 293 animals were registred, out of which 220 were sows and 73 were boars. Based on these figures, the Linderöd pig is registered in FAO´s threat category endangered-maintained. The survey showed that most of the animal keepers are found in Skåne and most of the keepers have one sow. More than half of the animal keepers also has at least one gilt and at least one boar. The sows usually farrow once a year and the total litter size is on average 8.5 pigs, out of which 6.9 pigs are weaned. The lactation period is usually 11 weeks. Typically, one or two pigs per litter are registered into the gene bank while the rest of the piglets are used for household meat. Castration of male piglets is fairly uncommon and recent development indicates that the proportion of castrated piglets is decreasing. The majority of the pigs are kept outdoors throughout the year and feeding is extensively on cereals, food waste and forage. The main aim of this conservation is to keep the Linderöd pig as unchanged and original as possible. There is today no demand for meat from the Linderöd pigs. The cooperation with the organization Slow Food aims to create a demand for this meat. Owing to the fact that certain slaughterhouses have chosen not to slaughter Linderöd pigs, and since meat from non-veterinary inspected meat is prohibited on the market, there has been stagnation in the number of raised and kept pigs. The meat, nevertheless, is regarded to be delicious and flavorsome and should please both gourmets and high quality restaurants. The pig is also considered to be healthy and tolerant and thus the use of the breed in organic production could be of interest. The Swedish Board of Agriculture rather complicated rules related to a five year contract may, however, lead to fewer keepers applying for compensation.