Bayan Pork

Bayan Pork

Bayan Pork is a geographical indication agricultural product.

　　Bayan County is a major agricultural hub in the province with a long-standing tradition of pig farming. Bayan Pork is renowned nationwide and was the first county in the province to register the "Bayan Pork" geographical indication.

　　Geographic Scope

　　Production Area: The geographic indication agricultural product "Bayan Pork" is produced within a designated protection zone covering 3,135.2 square kilometers in Bayan County. The protected area spans 313,300 hectares, with a commercial pig output of 2 million head in 2007.

　　Production Location: Bayan County is located in the central-southern part of Heilongjiang Province, on the northern bank of the middle Songhua River Plain. Its precise coordinates are between 126°45′53″E to 127°42′16″E longitude and 45°54′28″N to 46°40′18″N latitude. To the south, it faces Bin County across the river; to the west, it borders Hulan via the Piao River; to the north, it neighbors Suihua and Qing’an via the Ni River; and to the east, it connects with Mulan via the Huangni River and Luotuolazi Mountain. The county stretches 85 km from north to south, 72.4 km from east to west, with a perimeter of 338 km. The county seat is 98 km from Harbin.

　　Production Address: The county administers 18 townships. The protected area for the geographical indication of Bayan Pork spans all 18 administrative townships within Bayan County: Bayan Town, Songhua River Township, Fujiang Township, Bayan Port Town, Xiji Town, Fengle Township, Xinglong Town, Hongguang Township, Wanfa Town, Dexiang Township, Tianzeng Town, Shanhou Township, Heishan Town, Longquan Town, Huashan Township, Longmiao Town, Waxing Town, and Zhendong Township. This includes 10 small towns (two officially designated), 16 villages (three ethnic autonomous villages), 1,351 natural villages, four state-owned forest farms, two state-owned seed farms, and one state-owned livestock farm.

　　Natural Ecological Environment and Humanistic Historical Factors

　　(1) Soil and Topography: 1. Land Resource Characteristics. There are nine soil types, 19 subtypes, 32 soil genera, totaling 62 soil varieties. The nine soil types are dark brown soil, albic soil, black soil, meadow soil, flood soil, swamp soil, peat soil, paddy soil, and sandy soil. The county covers an area of 3,135.2 square kilometers, with a total land area of 313,300 hectares, including 226,700 hectares of arable land. Over 90% of this arable land consists of highly fertile soils such as black soil, black calcareous soil, and meadow soil. The humus layer reaches 20–70 cm in depth, with soil organic matter content at 3.72%, nitrogen at 0.168%, phosphorus at 0.99%, potassium at 1.80%, and a neutral pH of 6.7. The terrain is higher in the east and lower in the west, with plateaus in the north and plains in the south, and numerous hills in the central region. Sloped farmland accounts for 62% of arable land. The county is wedge-shaped, with the highest elevation at 564.3 meters and the lowest at 110 meters.

　　(2) Hydrology: Water Resources. Bayan County has 14 major rivers with a combined length of 475.7 km. The county’s groundwater storage capacity is 6.5 billion cubic meters, with an average annual groundwater supply of 397 million cubic meters and an allowable extraction volume of 222.4 million cubic meters. Total water resources amount to 573 million cubic meters, with per capita water availability at 869 cubic meters and per mu (0.067 hectares) water availability at 212 cubic meters. This includes details on water systems, sources, quality, and influencing factors.

　　(3) Climate: Located at mid-to-high latitudes, Bayan County experiences a mid-temperate continental monsoon climate. Summers are dominated by southeast winds, bringing humidity and frequent rain, while winters bring dry, frigid northwest winds. The annual average temperature is 3.1°C, with recorded highs of 37.9°C and lows of -42.5°C. The annual accumulated temperature above 10°C is 2,658.4°C, average annual precipitation is 582.2 mm, and average annual sunshine duration is 2,669.4 hours. From May to September (the growing season), sunshine lasts 1,252 hours, accounting for 46.9% of the annual total. The average first frost date is September 21, with an average frost-free period of 131 days. The annual freezing period lasts about 145 days. This includes special climatic factors such as monsoons, temperature, humidity, sunlight, and precipitation.

　　(4) Humanistic and Historical Background: The history of human habitation in Bayan County dates back to 211 BCE during the Qin Dynasty, when it was part of the Suibo territory—a fusion of the Sui and Bai ethnic groups, northeastern minorities primarily engaged in fishing, hunting, and some agriculture.

　　Before the establishment of Bayan County, the area was dense with forests, abundant in water and grass, and boasts fertile soil—an untouched frontier. Due to Qing Dynasty restrictions (as the northeast was considered the “Dragon Rising” region), only a few Banner soldiers farmed and scattered Han settlers tilled patches of land, fished, and lived simple agrarian lives. In 1859 (the ninth year of the Xianfeng Emperor), the northeast was opened, and land was released for cultivation. Subsequently, a large influx of Han migrants from inland China arrived.

　　By 1862 (the first year of the Tongzhi Emperor), the Hulan Subprefecture was established east of Hulan City to administer areas like Bayan Susu, managing taxation, legal affairs, and interactions between Banner people and civilians. In 1904 (the 30th year of the Guangxu Emperor), the Hulan Subprefecture split into two offices—one remaining in Hulan, the other becoming the elevated Hulan Prefecture (relocated to Hulan City), with the original subprefecture renamed Bayan Zhou. In 1913 (the second year of the Republic of China), Bayan Zhou became Bayan County.

　　Pig Farming History: According to the 1917 *Bayan County Annals*, “During the Han and Jin Dynasties, Bayan was part of the Fuyu territory.” Zhang Xiangling’s *Suggestions to Study Some Heilongjiang History* states that Fuyu was established around the 3rd century BCE, during the late Warring States period. The *Book of the Later Han · Fuyu Biography* records: “The state had kings who appointed officials based on six domesticated animals—Horse Officer, Ox Officer, Pig Officer, Dog Officer, Grand Envoy, Envoy, and Messenger.” This indicates a long history of pig farming in Bayan County. During the Xianfeng era of the Qing Dynasty (1860), General Tepuqin of Heilongjiang established a Land Reclamation Bureau here, promoting large-scale land opening. Local pigs were primarily raised. According to the *Eastern Provinces Series*, in 1913 (the second year of the Republic of China), Bayan County “sold livestock mainly cattle and pigs—1,000 to 1,500 cattle annually and 5,000 to 6,000 pigs. Cattle were first sent to the Hulan market, then transported to Harbin, while pigs went directly to Harbin. Chickens and ducks were not sold elsewhere but their eggs were shipped via steamboat along the Heilongjiang coast.”

　　Post-1949 Development of Pig Farming: In the 1950s, breeds like the Landrace were introduced and crossed with local pigs, yielding high-quality hybrid pigs with significantly improved lean meat ratios. By the 1980s, with more imported breeds, two-way hybrid pigs were bred, further enhancing quality. By the late 20th century, Bayan County achieved three-way and four-way hybridization using imported breeds like Duroc, British Landrace, Belgian Landrace, and Yorkshire alongside local pigs, producing premium pigs with over 70% lean meat ratio. The county also invited provincial livestock experts to develop the Zhuang Method of Pig Farming, tailored to Heilongjiang’s harsh climate. This method earned praise from American experts—who noted U.S. sows average 22 piglets per year, while Bayan’s Waxing Breeding Farm achieves 24 surviving piglets per sow, 9.1% higher and leading domestically. American experts commended: “Bayan’s pig farming quality and technical maturity are world-class.”

　　Cultural Advantages: First, feed advantage. Unique terrain ensures western-facing slopes receive direct afternoon sunlight, boosting crop photosynthesis and quality—enhancing pork uniqueness. Second, hybrid breed advantage. Three-way and four-way hybrids yield premium pigs with over 70% lean meat. Third, exemplary farming model. The Zhuang Method, developed with expert input for cold climates, gained U.S. acclaim. Fourth, humanistic environment. Pollution control policies, environmental regulations, and farmland improvements ensure minimal pollution (limited to wastewater, exhaust, solid waste, and noise). Air quality: 280 μg/m³ PM10, 28 μg/m³ CO; 95% drinking water compliance, 70% surface water compliance; urban traffic noise at 67 dB, ambient noise at 55 dB. Fifth, technological management. The Bayan Agricultural Product Quality Safety Association sets inspection standards surpassing national non-hazardous benchmarks. Tests confirm superior hygiene, heavy metals, and sensory metrics, with high nutritional elements. Bayan Pork holds non-hazardous certification, affirming its safety.

　　Production Technical Requirements

　　(1) Production Area Selection and Special Provisions: Bayan Pork is produced in Bayan County, part of Northeast China’s black soil belt (one of the world’s three major black soil regions), within a subtropical monsoon climate zone—offering prime geographic advantages for agricultural production. Bayan’s unique pig quality further establishes its inherent quality edge.

　　(2) Breed Selection and Specific Requirements: Bayan Pork uses three-to-four-way crossbred pigs for processing, leveraging their unique quality advantages. These pigs originate from first-generation Bayan-native Northeast White sows/boars crossed with breeds like Landrace, Duroc, and Yorkshire to produce second-generation hybrids. These are further bred for three-to-four generations to optimize traits. Premium pigs are scientifically slaughtered and processed to create Bayan Pork with distinctive local characteristics.

　　(3) Special Production Process Management Provisions: Bayan Pig Quality Requirements: First, pigs are fed locally grown green-certified corn and soy-based complete feed—no animal manure-fermented feed. Second, only nationally approved veterinary drugs are used for disease control—no banned substances. Third, farms are located away from residential areas and traffic routes to prevent pollution. Fourth, the Zhuang Method (individual pen farming) and Xu Method (disease prevention) are implemented. Fifth, grain-based feed dominates, with three-to-four-way crossbred pigs raised for under 12 months.

　　(4) Product Harvesting, Slaughter, and Post-Processing Provisions: Bayan Pork is transported in dedicated vehicles, undergoes humane closed slaughter, scientific acidification, and separate frozen storage. Strict pre-shipment quality inspections are conducted, with after-sales service and product recall systems in place.

　　(5) Production Record Requirements: Bayan pigs are raised per standardized procedures. All veterinary drugs, additives, and inputs are fully documented throughout the process. Regular feeding inspections are performed. Market access, quality, and tech services adhere to Bayan Pork inspection standards. Pigs are coded by farm and slaughtered individually; products are stored separately by farm with unique codes for traceability.

　　Product Quality Characteristics and Safety Standards

　　(1) Sensory Traits: Bayan Pork boasts excellent quality—vibrant color, firm texture, high lean meat ratio, and glossy skin.

　　(2) Internal Quality Indicators: Lean meat fat content is below 3% (won’t cause weight gain with moderate consumption); linoleic acid exceeds 9% (delicious yet not greasy, tender yet not mushy); protein content surpasses 20%, amino acids exceed 15% (nutrient-rich). It also contains essential trace elements like iron, calcium, and zinc—over 2 mg calcium and 2 mg zinc per 100 g.

　　(1) External sensory characteristics: Bayan pork has high quality, vibrant color, elastic texture, high lean meat ratio, and a smooth skin surface.

　　(2) Internal quality indicators: The fat content in the lean meat of Bayan pork is below 3%, making it unlikely to cause weight gain when consumed in moderation; linoleic acid content exceeds 9%, giving the pork a delicious taste that is not greasy and a tender texture that is not slippery; the protein content in the pork is over 20%, and amino acids exceed 15%, making it highly nutritious; it also contains abundant trace elements essential for the human body such as iron, calcium, and zinc, with more than 2 mg of calcium and over 2 mg of zinc per 100 grams.

　　(3) Safety Requirements: The pigs are raised in a pollution-free manner according to the pig farming standards set by the Bayan County Agricultural Product Quality and Safety Association, ensuring their safety remains uncompromised during processing and transportation.

　　Packaging, labeling, and related regulations

　　Bayan pork is primarily packaged in paper-plastic materials, available in weights of 5kg, 10kg, and 20kg. The packaging prominently features the geographical indication of the agricultural product “Bayan Pork” and includes anti-counterfeiting labels. Bayan pork is mainly stored frozen and transported using specialized equipment to prevent contamination and spoilage during transit.