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Middle White
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Middle White
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Middle White
a large pale pink pig, its very compressed snout resting on the ground
Sow at the last Royal Show at Stoneleigh Park in 2009
Conservation status
Other names
  • Middle Breed
  • Middle Yorkshire
  • Middle Yorks (Japan)
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Distributioninternational
Usepork
Traits
Weight
  • Male:
    average 275 kg[4]
  • Female:
    average 225 kg[4]
Height
  • Male:
    average 90 cm[4]
  • Female:
    average 80 cm[4]
  • Pig
  • Sus domesticus
old photograph of a pig with short and upturned snout
Holywell Rosador, a Middle White boar, took first prize at the Royal Counties Show and at the Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland Show, 1899

The Middle White is a British breed of domestic pig.[5][4] It originated in Yorkshire, and derived from the Large White and the now-extinct Small White.[6]: 144  It was recognised in 1852, and the first herd-book was published in 1884.[7] It is a porker, reared for fresh pork (rather than for bacon or for lard like some other breeds of pig), and is characterised by a short and sharply-upturned snout.[8] After the Second World War it came close to extinction; although numbers have recovered somewhat, it is listed by the Rare Breeds Survival Trust as "priority" – the highest level of risk.[3]

History

[edit]

In the early eighteenth century the traditional Yorkshire pigs of the county of that name were to a greater or lesser extent cross-bred with other stock, mostly of Asian origin; the effects of this were seen mainly in the shape of the face and in the size of the resulting animals. By about 1850 the Small White – a small white pig with a heavily foreshortened snout – was popular as a show breed; the Large White showed much less Oriental influence.[5]: 649  In 1852, at an agricultural show in Keighley in the West Riding of Yorkshire, a breeder named Joseph Tuley presented pigs bred by crossing Large White sows with Small White boars.[7] The judges ruled that they could be shown as neither breed, but – since the pigs were of good quality – created a new "Middle Breed" class in which he might show them.[7]

In 1884 the National Pig Association was established to manage three breeds: the Large White, the Tamworth and the Middle White, for which the first herd-book was published in that year.[6]: 145  In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries the Middle White was among the most successful pig breeds in Britain.[8] It was used to supply the relatively small joints of pork which were then in demand, particularly in London; it was sometimes called the "London porker". It was exported to a number of European countries, to Australia and South Africa, and to parts of Asia including China, India, Malaysia and particularly Japan, where – under the name "Middle Yorks" – it was the preferred pig breed until the later twentieth century, when it was progressively displaced by the Japanese Berkshire.[5]: 649 

From 1933 the politics of pig-breeding in Britain favoured baconers over porkers;[5]: 649 [9]: 108  this was particularly the case under the food rationing during and after the Second World War.[6]: 145  In 1955 the Howitt report on the development of pig production in the United Kingdom was published. Its main conclusions were that UK pig farms were poorly placed to compete with European producers, that the diversity of local breeds in the UK was an obstacle to progress, and that British pig farmers should focus on three breeds only: the Welsh, the British Landrace, and the Large White.[10] The report initiated a period of decline in all other British pig breeds, including the Middle White. By the time the Rare Breeds Survival Trust was founded in 1973, numbers of all traditional pig breeds were dangerously low, and many of them were extinct.[11][12] In 1986 the Middle White breed population was reported to be 15.[4] In 1990 a breed association, the Middle White Pig Breeders' Club, was established.[6]: 145 

In 2010 the breed was listed on the watchlist of the Rare Breeds Survival Trust as "category 2, endangered".[2] In 2021 it was listed as "priority", the highest level of risk; it is one of six pig breeds in that category.[3] In 2019 a total breed population of 321 was reported to DAD-IS.[4]

Characteristics

[edit]

The Middle White is of medium size: on average, boars stand about 90 cm at the withers and weigh some 275 kg: sows are about 10 cm less tall, and weigh about 50 kg less.[5]: 649  The skin is thin and unpigmented, the hair is white and fine.[6]: 145  The face is dished, the snout is foreshortened and upturned, and the ears are large, upright and pointed.[6]: 145 

It is suited to extensive management;[8] it grazes well, but because of its short snout does not dig as much as some other breeds.[2]

The average litter size is 8.5[5]: 649  or 9 piglets.[8]

Use

[edit]

The Middle White was traditionally reared for its pork. It matures early and is usually slaughtered at three or four months old, at a weight of some 65–70 kg; if taken beyond this weight it is more likely to put on fat than lean meat. The bones and offal are fairly light, and carcass yield or killing-out percentage is high; in one exceptional case it was recorded at over 90%.[8] Alternatively, it may be slaughtered at a weight of 10–14 kg to be marketed as suckling pig.[8] The pork of the Middle White is of excellent quality, with it becoming known as 'the London Porker' because of its popularity in London restaurants.[13]

Middle White herds may also be used in vegetation management.[6]: 145 

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Middle White

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The Middle White is a rare British of domestic originating from in the 1850s, developed through crosses between the Large White and the now-extinct Small White to create an intermediate-sized animal valued for efficient production. This breed was first formally recognized in at a exhibition, where its size—neither fitting the small nor large classes—prompted the establishment of a dedicated "Middle Breed" category. Dubbed the "London Porker" for its suitability to urban markets, the Middle White rose to prominence in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a prolific porker, prized for its ability to yield high-quality, flavorful meat at lightweight carcasses of 65-70 kg liveweight after just 3-4 months. However, its popularity waned from the onward due to shifting industry demands favoring leaner, bacon-type pigs like the Large White, leading to a sharp decline in numbers. Physically, Middle Whites are medium-sized and stocky, with adult sows typically weighing around 200 kg and boars up to 280 kg; they feature a solid white coat, a distinctive short dished or , large upright prick ears, and a compact, well-balanced frame with short legs. Known for their docile and gentle temperament, these early-maturing pigs exhibit strong maternal instincts, with average litter sizes of approximately 9 piglets, and they perform well in outdoor systems due to their hardiness and minimal rooting , though they require adequate . They are also valued in crossbreeding programs, particularly with Large Whites, to enhance quality, tenderness, and eating experience without compromising growth rates. In contemporary times, the Middle White remains endangered, classified as a priority breed by conservation bodies, with UK registered populations at 333 animals as of 2024 and a small global population. Efforts by organizations like the and the British Pig Association focus on preservation through pedigree registration and promotion of its superior for niche markets, including suckling pigs and specialty cuts, fostering a modest resurgence driven by demand for heritage and flavorful meats.

History

Origins

The Middle White emerged in the mid-19th century in , , through selective crossbreeding efforts by Joseph Tuley, a handloom weaver and emerging breeder from Exley Head near . Tuley, who had begun exhibiting pigs in local shows as early as 1846, focused on combining the robust qualities of established to create a new type suited to regional farming needs. By the early 1850s, he achieved this by mating Large White sows—known for their size and productivity—with boars from the Small White , a now-extinct variety that had been developed from local stock crossed with imported Chinese and Siamese pigs. This cross produced offspring with an intermediate build, blending the length and frame of the Large White with the shorter, more compact form of the Small White. The breed's public debut and formal recognition occurred at the in 1852, where Tuley exhibited his crossbred pigs. These animals were initially disqualified from both the and classes due to their size not fitting either category—Tuley's pigs were deemed too small for the entries but too large for the ones. Impressed by their quality and uniformity, the show judges and committee promptly created a new "Middle Breed" class on the spot, allowing the pigs to compete and win prizes, which marked the Middle White's establishment as a distinct . The name "Middle White" was adopted shortly thereafter to reflect the breed's position as an intermediary between the larger Large White and the smaller Small White, emphasizing its balanced conformation and potential for production. This naming solidified the breed's identity in agricultural circles, paving the way for its later documentation in herd books.

Development and Popularity

Following its initial recognition in 1852, the Middle White pig underwent formal standardization with the publication of the first herd book in by the National Pig Breeders' Association, which established clear breed criteria and facilitated organized breeding efforts across Britain. This documentation marked a pivotal step in distinguishing the Middle White from related breeds like the Large White and Small White, emphasizing its intermediate size and pork-oriented traits for systematic improvement. The herd book quickly became a cornerstone for breeders, promoting consistent quality and enabling the breed's expansion beyond origins. In Britain, the Middle White experienced rapid growth in popularity from the late through the early , becoming a favored choice for production due to its early maturity and efficient yield. By the early 1900s, it had achieved peak adoption among farmers, particularly in urban markets like , where its compact build suited small-scale operations and produced high-quality fresh that met rising consumer demand. Widespread use in commercial herds underscored its versatility, with the breed's reputation for prolificacy and tenderness driving its dominance in the British sector until the 1930s. The breed's appeal extended internationally, with successful exports beginning in the early 20th century to regions including Europe, Asia, and beyond, highlighting its adaptability and economic value. Notably, shipments to Japan from the 1920s onward introduced the Middle White—locally termed "Middle Yorks"—into breeding programs, where it was crossed with indigenous pigs to enhance meat marbling and flavor profiles suited to Japanese preferences. This export success solidified the breed's global standing, as Japanese breeders valued its contributions to premium pork varieties, sustaining demand for British stock well into later decades.

Decline

The Middle White pig breed experienced a significant decline beginning in the 1940s, primarily due to the impacts of . Meat rationing, which persisted until 1954, prioritized the production of bacon-type pigs over specialist pork breeds like the Middle White, as feed resources were redirected to support larger-scale, export-oriented operations. Concurrently, severe labor shortages in agriculture, caused by the mobilization of workers for the , reduced the capacity for maintaining herds, leading to a sharp drop in the national population from approximately 3.8 million in 1939 to 1.8 million by 1944. These pressures sidelined the Middle White, which had previously enjoyed popularity for its pork quality, in favor of more utilitarian breeds suited to wartime constraints. The decline accelerated following the publication of the 1955 Howitt Report on pig production in the United Kingdom, commissioned by the government to address inefficiencies in the industry. The report concluded that excessive breed diversity hindered competitiveness against European producers and recommended concentrating efforts on just three breeds: the Large White, British Landrace, and Welsh, which were deemed optimal for bacon production and intensive systems. This policy shift prompted widespread culling of non-recommended breeds, including the Middle White, as farmers rationalized herds to align with incentives for the favored types, further eroding the breed's numbers in the post-war period. By the mid-1980s, the Middle White had reached a population , with fewer than 100 sows registered across only six herds, bringing the breed perilously close to . Dedicated breeders preserved the remaining stock during this critical phase, but the breed's survival hung in the balance amid ongoing preferences for commercial hybrids.

Revival

Following the severe decline after , a small number of dedicated enthusiasts maintained limited herds of Middle White pigs through the and , preventing the breed's complete when populations fell to fewer than 100 sows across just six herds. These efforts were crucial during a period of intense pressure from industrialized farming, where the breed's traits were deemed less suitable for mass production. The breed reached a critical low in 1977, when only 15 litters were notified. In response to this near-loss, the Middle White Pig Breeders' Club was formed in 1991 to promote the breed, coordinate breeding activities, and manage a centralized register for animals. The club, supported by prominent figures such as chef as its patron, focused on linking breeders and encouraging shows to raise awareness. The 1990s marked a turning point through targeted breeding programs organized by the club, which emphasized selecting for the breed's characteristic conformation while avoiding defects like twisted snouts. These initiatives led to steady population growth, with registered numbers rising from the late 1970s low to 321 pigs by 2019.

Characteristics

Physical Appearance

The Middle White pig is distinguished by its predominantly , which covers the body in a fine, sparse layer of soft , giving the a silky appearance free from coarseness or wrinkles. This is typically unpigmented and uniform in color, with occasional fine fringes on the ears adding subtle texture. The breed's is thin and smooth, contributing to its overall refined and clean look. A hallmark of the breed is its dished facial profile, featuring a moderately short head with a concave forehead leading to a broad, short that turns upward in a snubbed fashion. The eyes are set wide apart, providing an alert expression, while the jowls remain light and straight, avoiding any pronounced . This facial structure sets the Middle White apart from straighter-faced white breeds like the Large White. The ears are another prominent feature, being fairly large, pricked upright, and inclined forward and outward, often fringed with fine white hair for a delicate edge. The back is long, level, and straight from the shoulders to the tail root, supporting a compact, well-balanced frame of medium size overall. These traits combine to create a stocky yet elegant typical of the .

Size and Conformation

The Middle White is a medium-sized of , with adult boars typically reaching an average shoulder of 90 cm (35 in) and weight of 275–280 kg (606–617 lb), while sows average 80 cm (31 in) at the and around 200–230 kg (441–507 lb). This compact stature distinguishes it from larger commercial breeds like the Large White, contributing to its early maturity and efficiency in production systems. In terms of conformation, the Middle White exhibits a well-balanced, meaty build optimized for yield, featuring a long and level back extending to the tail root, well-sprung (arched) , and deep, level sides that provide substantial body depth. The shoulders are fine and sloping, aligning smoothly with the legs and sides to ensure mobility, while the hindquarters are broad and deep down to the hock, forming a rounded structure that supports high meat quality without coarseness. Legs are straight and fairly short, set well apart with fine, and springy pasterns, promoting a sturdy yet agile frame suitable for outdoor environments where excessive fat deposition is minimized due to the breed's meat-oriented genetics. This overall structure emphasizes functionality, with a high tail set and minimal wrinkles or spots on the skin, enhancing its adaptability to pasture-based systems.

Temperament and Reproduction

The Middle White is renowned for its docile and friendly , making it an ideal choice for small-scale or management where ease of handling is essential. Breeders and farmers consistently describe the pigs as laid-back and quiet in nature, with a calm demeanor that reduces stress for both the animals and handlers. This gentle disposition stems from that prioritized manageability, allowing the breed to thrive in environments requiring close human interaction without aggression or excessive rooting behavior. In terms of reproduction, Middle White sows exhibit strong maternal instincts, fostering high piglet survival and contributing to effective weaning rates. They are known for being attentive and protective mothers, which supports robust litter rearing from birth through weaning. The average litter size ranges from 8 to 9 piglets, with data from breed registries indicating an average of 8.99 piglets per litter as of 2009. The breed's hardy nature enhances its adaptability to outdoor and extensive systems, where its foraging ability and active disposition allow it to efficiently utilize without excessive land disturbance. Middle Whites root less aggressively than many other breeds, preserving and integrity in outdoor settings, while their overall resilience supports performance in varied climates.

Uses

Pork Production

The Middle White pig is primarily utilized in pork production due to its early maturity and suitability for producing high-quality . Traditionally, these pigs are slaughtered at a live weight of 65–70 kg (143–154 lb), typically at 3–4 months of age, to yield premium carcasses. Alternatively, they can be processed earlier as suckling pigs at 10–14 kg (22–31 lb) live weight, providing tender for specialized dishes. This breed achieves a good carcass yield, contributing to efficient production. The resulting is tender and well-marbled, with fat distribution that enhances flavor, making it particularly prized for and roasts. Chefs and butchers value its distinct taste and texture, often describing it as superior to standard commercial . Historically, the Middle White was favored for fresh production rather than , earning the nickname "London Porker" for its popularity in early 20th-century urban markets. This preference stemmed from its medium size and balanced fat levels, which aligned well with demand for flavorful roasting joints over the leaner carcasses required for during periods of . Its conformation supports these yields without excessive fat accumulation at optimal slaughter weights.

Other Uses

The Middle White pig's hardiness and adaptability to outdoor environments make it suitable for and vegetation management, where it helps control undergrowth and invasive plants in woodlands and pastures without excessive soil disturbance due to its shorter and moderate rooting behavior. Traditional breeds like the Middle White are valued in such roles for their and ability to thrive in natural settings, contributing to maintenance on conservation sites. In crossbreeding programs, the Middle White is occasionally used to enhance flavor profiles and texture in hybrid lines, particularly when crossed with longer-bodied breeds like the Large White to combine lean growth with improved quality. This practice leverages the breed's genetic contribution to finer-grained, more flavorful , supporting niche production of premium hybrids. The Middle White also plays a niche role in heritage farming demonstrations and eco-tourism, where its distinctive appearance and historical significance attract visitors to educational farm sites. For instance, at locations like and , the breed is featured in interactive exhibits that highlight rare livestock conservation, allowing public engagement with traditional British farming practices.

Conservation

Status

The Middle White is classified as a "priority" on the () Watchlist, signifying its status as one of the most critically endangered native due to low population numbers and high risks. This designation, first applied in 2021, was maintained in the 2024-25 Watchlist, reflecting persistent vulnerability. In the , the registered population stood at approximately 333 pigs as of 2023, with 267 breeding sows and 66 boars recorded in 2024, marking a decline from 351 breeding sows in 2022. Conservation assessments from the British Pig Association indicate ongoing declines in breeding females and overall numbers, continuing a downward trend since 2022 despite revival initiatives. The breed's global distribution remains extremely limited, with the vast majority of individuals in the and small, experimental herds in —where it is valued for specialty production. Historical exports occurred to countries such as and , but current populations outside the and are not confirmed.

Preservation Efforts

The Middle White Pig Breeders Club plays a central role in sustaining the breed by maintaining a dedicated genebank that preserves from select boars, ensuring access to diverse genetic lines for breeders. This initiative promotes low- breeding practices, with the average inbreeding coefficient for genebank boars recorded at 0.0152 as of 2019, helping to mitigate risks of genetic bottlenecks in the small population. The (RBST) and British Pig Association (BPA) collaborate on broader conservation efforts through the Native Pig Breeds Genebanking Project, launched in 2016, which includes the Middle White among six at-risk native breeds. This program involves freezing semen from unrelated boars—targeting at least 10 per breed—to safeguard via kinship analysis and planned matings, with over 7,500 straws produced by 2024. For 2025, specific targets aim to stabilize breed numbers through targeted registrations and distribution, such as placing a Rajah-line boar in the South West region and expanding the sow line beyond Central and . Contemporary preservation incorporates monitoring, including regular inbreeding coefficient assessments and regional line tracking across 51 club members, to prevent further decline. Integration into sustainable farming practices emphasizes the breed's resilience in traditional systems, supported by services that enable low-input production while maintaining pedigree integrity and reducing reliance on commercial hybrids.

References

  1. https://breeds.okstate.edu/swine/middle-white-swine.html
  2. https://www.rbst.org.uk/middle-white
  3. https://churchfarmstowbardolph.co.uk/middle-white/
  4. https://britishpigs.org.uk/component/content/article/middle-white?catid=34&Itemid=101
  5. https://www.britishpigs.org.uk/buyers-guides/middle-white-buyers
  6. https://www.thepigsite.com/breeds/middle-white
  7. https://www.keighleynews.co.uk/news/20634499.memory-lane-keighley-handloom-weaver-knew-bacon/
  8. https://www.middlewhite.co.uk/about-the-breed
  9. https://www.fondazioneslowfood.com/en/ark-of-taste-slow-food/middle-white-pig/
  10. https://www.cabidigitallibrary.org/doi/full/10.1079/cabicompendium.74970
  11. https://www.britishpigs.org.uk/breed-information/middle-white
  12. https://salutethepig.com/which-one-do-you-want-then-the-white-one-in-the-middle/
  13. https://www.bahs.org.uk/AGHR/ARTICLES/66_1_Brassley.pdf
  14. https://www.nature.com/articles/146047a0.pdf
  15. https://lbpbu.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Large-Black-Hogs-History.pdf
  16. https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/81768
  17. https://www.middlewhite.co.uk/about3
  18. https://www.fao.org/dad-is/en/
  19. https://www.middlewhite.co.uk/breed-standards
  20. https://farmerdb.com/middle-white-pig/
  21. https://www.britishpigs.org.uk/documents/bpa-standards-of-excellence-middle-white.pdf
  22. https://irishpigsociety.com/middle-white-pig/
  23. https://www.britishpigs.org.uk/me-and-my-pigs/middle-white/manageable-delight
  24. https://jimmysfarm.com/animals1/middle-white-pig/
  25. https://www.wcl.org.uk/using-pigs-in-conservation-grazing.asp
  26. https://www.accidentalsmallholder.net/livestock/pigs/land-and-fencing-for-pigs/
  27. https://www.thepigsite.com/focus/advertiser/3663/the-different-breeds-of-swine-middle-white-middle-white-pig-breed-middle-white-gilts-sows-and-boars
  28. https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/visit/cheshire-greater-manchester/tatton-park/things-to-do-on-tatton-park-farm
  29. https://museumsandgalleries.leeds.gov.uk/home-farm-and-play-barn-at-temple-newsam-4xx3
  30. https://www.folly-farm.co.uk/news/first-litter-of-middle-white-piglets-for-priority-breed/
  31. https://nationalpigassociation.co.uk/latest_rbst_watchlist_paints_worrying_picture_for_our_native_breeds-html/
  32. https://www.pig-world.co.uk/news/rbst-watchlist-highlights-worrying-decline-in-our-native-pig-breeds.html
  33. https://www.gov.uk/government/statistics/uk-farm-animal-genetic-resources-fangr-breed-inventory-results/uk-farm-animal-genetic-resources-fangr-breed-inventory-results-2024-statistics-release
  34. https://britishpigs.org.uk/images/2025/Conservation%20plan/MW%20Con%20Plan.pdf
  35. https://www.rbst.org.uk/building-a-gene-bank
  36. https://www.farmersguardian.com/news/4392457/rare-breed-survival-trusts-gene-bank-goes-strength-strength
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