Meat
American Yorkshire
D tier
American Yorkshire is the United States’ selection of the Yorkshire/Large White complex—a large white, erect-eared pig refined for American commercial conditions. It is valued for prolific litters, milkiness, long sides, and lean, uniform carcasses that supply mainstream chops, loins, and curing stock. Culinary role is that of commodity and branded white pork: mild flavour, pale lean, and versatile cooking from roasting and grilling to bacon and ham. American Yorkshire genetics form a major share of US maternal and purebred seedstock programmes and hybrid commercial slaughter pigs.
Also known as: American Yorkshire, Yorkshire, Yorkshire commercial pork
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Grading systems
Grades are placed along a shared scale so systems can be compared side by side.
History
English Yorkshire white pigs were imported and adapted to American farm and market conditions.
Organised Yorkshire breeding in North America established the American Yorkshire as a national type.
Breed association and herd-book work standardised American Yorkshire pedigree and show type.
American Yorkshire became a leading maternal and bacon-type breed across the Midwest.
Performance testing drove selection for lean growth rate and larger litters in purebred herds.
American Yorkshire remained core genetics in commercial hybrid sow bases and purebred sales.