The Importance of Registered Stock
Registration is fundamental to the preservation of breeds, and the documentation of genetic lineages (especially in breeds sch as the Meishan, where there are multiple genetic lines of origin).
Below is a summary of why pedigree tracking and organizational oversight are essential for preserving this rare genetic resource, and livestock in general.
Registering Meishan pigs is a critical act of stewardship for a breed that was recently classified as critically endangered (in 2018) with fewer than 2,000 purebred animals remaining at the time. By documenting genetic lines through theAmerican Meishan Breeders Association, owners protect the future of this ancient breed, and prevent a return to functional extinction.
Aside from that, registration also ensures top quality genetics carry on for meat production and developing breed standards.
1. Unique History & Genetic Resilience of the meishan pig
Meishan pigs were brought to the United States in 1989 through a joint effort by the USDA, Iowa State University, and the University of Illinois. Because they were held in different research facilities for decades, there are now distinct genetic lines without a common ancestor for several decades (meaning there is not a lot of inbreeding, and allowing for a variety of phenotypical variation). While these facilities ensured the pigs were not inbred, they were otherwise bred without a selective structure. This gave modern Meishans a surprisingly broad range of genetic variation despite their overall uniqueness in the world of swine.
The downside? No set and determined breed standard. (I’ll do a future post on that and link it!)
AMBA Website: The History of the Meishan Pig (link not available, but taken from my notes. The AMBA has recently changed their entire website)
Article:Introduction of Chinese Meishan Swine into the US – PubMed/NCBI
Additionally, it seems (just from my visual observations from other farms) that Meishan genetics are very dominant. This means without being registered, you cannot guarantee that the pig you have is 100% Meishan.
2. The Importance of Registering Swine
Registration is the only way to ensure the continuance of breed characteristics and the security of breed purity. Many "rare" breeds suffer from exceedingly limited genetic diversity (AKA inbreeding); however, being part of the American Meishan Breeders Association (AMBA) gives owners access to a comprehensive database. This allows breeders to track bloodlines and avoid inbreeding, which is critical for maintaining the health and vigor of the breed, and for making educated breeding selections as desired for your farm.
Article/Links: Importance of Pedigree in Heritage Breeds – The Livestock Conservancy
3. Conservation Tracking & Population Security
Registering heritage breeds is critical for accurate population tracking. Without a centralized registry, it is impossible for conservation organizations to determine if a breed is recovering or slipping toward extinction, because there is no record of how many exist or where they came from. By registering our pigs, we contribute to a unified effort to maintain a documented genetic resource that can be utilized for sustainable agriculture for generations to come.
The importance of heritage breeds and breed registration - The Livestock Conservancy
The importance of genetic diversity in livestock populations of the future - Journal of Animal Science