Breed Standards
The Idaho Pasture Pig (IPP) is a medium sized breed of pig developed in 2006 with ongoing selection to breed to the stated ideal standards. The Idaho Pasture Pigs are exceptionally friendly, have a calm disposition, and has been bred to graze instead of root.
Disposition
Friendly and curious disposition. Aggressive behavior definitely disqualifies pig from breed selection. A natural maternal instinct to protect the piglets is desired.
Size
A medium sized pig with sows maturing to 250-350 pounds and boars maturing to 350-450 pounds plus or minus a few pounds. Sows greater than 400 pounds and boars greater than 500 pounds could be disqualified.
Head
Medium length snout with an upturn or dish on the end to allow grazing and discourage rooting. The snout should be wide and compliment the overall shape of the head. It should not be tapered, not be long and straight, nor should it be completely snub and dished, all of which disqualify pig from breed selection.
Eyes
Set well apart and symmetrical. No blindness at birth.
Mouth
Must be set well in mouth and no over or under bite should be apparent.
Wattles
Pigs may or may not have wattles. One wattle on either side is also acceptable.
Ears
Well set apart and can be erect or drooping, but there is a preference to erect ears.
Neck
Medium length, blending well between the body and head. Not excessively short or long.
Shoulders
Well developed and noticeable shoulders that are proportional to the rest of the body. There should be a noticeable difference in the sows and the boars with the front shoulders of the boar being more broad and pronounced. Boars will normally develop a shield at about 2 years of age.
Back
Long and level back is appropriate for breed standard. The back should be proportionate to the animal and the medium sized pig.
Ribs
Deep and well-defined ribs without being overly round is the preferred breed standard. The sides of the pig should be deep and follow the ribs back to the hams. A straight bottom line is preferred. No rounded or barrel shaped sides with the exception of the bred gilts or sows.
Loin
A broad and long loin area is ideal.
Quarters
They should be wide coming back from the loin with a good high tail set.
Hams
Well developed and pronounced hams that are full all the way down to the hocks is ideal.
Legs
The legs should be straight coming down from the shoulders. They should be strong and keep the pig’s hocks to where it is standing up off of the pasterns with the cleats off of the ground. Some flex of the foot is desired to be able to traverse the ground properly. The legs should be square under the body to provide ease of movement.
Underline
Straight from the ribs to the hams. Evenly and well-spaced teats should be present on both boars and gilts on either side of the underline. Preference should be given to 5 or more evenly spaced teats on either side of the midline, but is not a disqualifying factor.
Reproductive Organs
All breeding stock, while meeting the above standards, must also, without exception, be free from congenital defects (e.g. umbilical and scrotal hernias, Atresia Ani (blind anus), cryptorchid boars, extra cleys, hermaphroditism, rectal and uterine prolapse). Two testicles are visible and/or able to be palpated in young boars. Undescended testicles do not fit breed standard.
Litter Size
The average litter size of the Idaho Pasture Pigs is 5- 7 for a gilt (first time mom) and 8 – 10 for a sow.
Growth Rate
The following chart depicts the average growth of the Idaho Pasture Pigs.
| 4 weeks | 15 - 20 pounds |
| 4 - 6 weeks | 20 - 30 pounds |
| 3 - 4 months | 50 - 80 pounds |
| 5 - 6 months | 100 - 130 pounds |
| 6 -7 months | 150 - 170 pounds |
| 9 - 10 months | 225 - 275 pounds |
Notes
Some differences may be noted due to time of the year, location, and feed schedule, but overall growth rate should fit very closely with the above chart.
The Idaho Pasture Pigs are comprised of three different breeds of pigs, so there will be some variety in the shape and conformation of the pigs. The goal is to make sure your breeding quality pigs fall into the stated breed standard. All those that do not make breed standard will still produce amazing quality pork and should be butchered as such.