Southern Yunnan Small-Ear Pig

Southern Yunnan Small-Ear Pig

　　The Southern Yunnan Small-Ear Pig is native to areas such as Mengla, Ruili, and Yingjiang in Yunnan Province. It has a compact body, with ears that stand upright or extend outward sideways, a broad back and waist, and a plump overall build. Its skin is thin and its hair sparse, mostly solid black, followed by “six-white” and black-and-white patterns, with a small number being brown. Most have five pairs of teats.

　　　The production area of the Southern Yunnan Small-Ear Pig has complex terrain, featuring alternating mountains, hills, valleys, and basins, with numerous rivers and abundant water sources. Most regions lie at elevations of 800–1,300 meters and feature a southern subtropical humid climate, with an average annual temperature of 17.7–20.2°C and annual precipitation of 1,200–2,200 mm. Some areas lie below 400–700 meters in elevation and have a northern subtropical climate, with an average annual temperature of 21.5–21.8°C and precipitation of 1,200–1,800 mm. Frost is generally absent in most years, and there is a distinct wet and dry season, with notable vertical climatic variations and less pronounced seasonal temperature changes, offering spring-like weather year-round. Crops can be grown two to three times per year, with rice as the main crop in flatland areas, followed by corn, wheat, and legumes. In mountainous areas, the main crops are corn and upland rice, followed by wheat, potatoes, buckwheat, and tubers. This region is one of Yunnan’s important grain-producing areas. The production area also boasts vast forested land with extremely rich forest vegetation, yielding wild forage such as hemp chestnuts, wild bananas, and chinquapins. The extensive mountain pastures provide natural grazing grounds for the Southern Yunnan Small-Ear Pig. When forage and fruits ripen, pigs are often herded out on an empty stomach in the morning and return full in the evening. In flatland farming areas, it is also common to let pigs graze freely. After harvest, they are allowed to forage for leftover grains and snails, while during fattening periods, they are fed stir-fried corn or rice. These practices contribute to the breed’s characteristic high fat deposition and tender meat. The production area lies in a border region and is home to many ethnic groups. The Dai people, who mostly live in flatland areas, prefer raising fat pigs, while other ethnic groups, who mostly reside in mountainous areas, commonly raise sows to supply piglets to flatland farms.

　　Geographical Distribution

　　　　The Southern Yunnan Small-Ear Pig is distributed in areas such as Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Lincang Region, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture, Simao City, Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture (Honghe, Yuanyang, Jinping, Lvchun, Hekou), Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture (Malipo, Xichou, Maguan, Funing), and Yuxi City (Yuanjiang, Xinping).

　　Breed Characteristics

　　　　Southern Yunnan Small-Ear Pigs can be divided into three types based on size: large, medium, and small. Large-type pigs are bigger in size, with flat faces, wide foreheads, slightly larger ears that mostly extend sideways or stand upright, short and thick necks, straight backs and waists, large abdomens that do not sag. Their limbs are relatively stout, and their coat color is mostly solid black, occasionally with white patches on the forehead, tail tip, or below the fetlocks. Small-type pigs are compact in size, described as having a “winter melon body, mule 0, and deer hooves.” They have small heads, flat foreheads without wrinkles, small upright and agile ears wider than they are long, slightly longer snouts, short and thick necks with dewlaps, mostly straight backs and waists, round and plump rumps, well-developed thigh muscles, short and straight limbs, and small, sturdy hooves. Medium-type pigs have physical characteristics that fall between those of the large and small types.

　　Breed Performance

　　　　Adult large male Southern Yunnan Small-Ear Pigs weigh 64.16 ± 3.65 kg, measure 103.0 ± 2.87 cm in body length, 95.41 ± 2.18 cm in chest girth, and 59.05 ± 1.14 cm in height. Adult large females weigh 76.03 ± 4.37 kg, measure 109.0 ± 2.16 cm in body length, 95.41 ± 2.18 cm in chest girth, and 58.17 ± 0.85 cm in height. Adult small males weigh 39.57 ± 5.61 kg, measure 88.50 ± 3.63 cm in body length, 78.81 ± 4.27 cm in chest girth, and 49.45 ± 0.99 cm in height. Adult small females weigh 54.31 ± 2.54 kg, measure 93.35 ± 1.38 cm in body length, 90.70 ± 1.81 cm in chest girth, and 51.58 ± 0.63 cm in height. First-time mothers give birth to an average of 7.7 ± 0.17 piglets, with 7.25 ± 0.16 surviving, and a litter weight of 4.93 ± 0.10 kg. Multiparous mothers give birth to 10.12 ± 0.09 piglets, with 9.91 ± 0.09 surviving. The Southern Yunnan Small-Ear Pig is widely distributed and in large numbers, able to adapt to hot and humid climates and grazing-based rearing conditions. It matures early, easily puts on fat, has a high slaughter rate, relatively thin skin, and good-quality meat. However, it has a somewhat wild temperament, slower growth rate, and lower feed utilization efficiency.