12 pigs started the American Meishan Breeders Association.
From 3 unique genetic lines.
Those lines are referred to on our Certificates of Registration as:
USDA - for the USDA Meat Research Center
UI - University of Illinois
IS - Iowa State
These are the 3 locations the imported Meishans from China were sent in the US when imported in 1989.
By 2016, all 3 research facilities had dispersed, in full, their remaining Meishan pigs.
That dispersal was the defining moment for the Meishan pig in North America.
Offering genetic diversity from line to line, those pigs are now the originating pigs that make-up the foundation or seed stock for the American Meishan Breeders Association.
And, the ones still alive today are all housed at Meishan Preservation.
How are those lines defined in our registry?
University of Illinois consisted of 2 sows, Panda and Pink lady. They are alive and part of the Meishan Preservation herd today. At 7 years old, they are ending the end of their reproductive lifespan. In fertility treatments now as a final attempt to secure their genetic contributions.
USDA consisted of 7 pigs total. 5 boars and 2 sows.
Those sows are: Ming Hou & Xishi, still alive and also under fertility treatments.
The boars still alive are: Ming, Tang & Zhou. Deceased are Yuan & Shang
Iowa State lines consisted of 3 pigs. Wu, Pumpkin and Chiyo. All deceased.
Meishan Preservation not only houses the remaining foundation stock or seed herd for North America, but, we have secured the genetics of every one of these original 12 pigs within our breeding herd.
Know that when you work with us, you're working with the top Meishan genetics in the nation.
