Rare Mulefoot Hogs Have Solid Hooves

Rare Mulefoot Hogs Have Solid Hooves AG WORLD 31-1-23 American Mulefoot Hogs have a distinctive solid hoof that looks like a mule or a horse. They're classified as one of the rarest breeds alive by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy. "The Mulefoot population is considered critical because there are less than 200 annual registrations of these hogs, and less than 2000 in the global population," says South Dakota breeder Arie McFarlen. "We're exceptionally lucky to have 35 breeding Mulefoots here at Maveric Heritage Ranch." Mulefoots are solid black and occasionally have white feet or noses. They have medium flop ears, a soft body coat, and are typically docile, friendly and exceptionally intelligent. Mulefoots generally reach 400 to 600 pounds by age two and are an excellent hog for meat production, being considered a premium ham hog. "The breed is native to the U.S,," McFarlen says. "I don't believe there are any in Canada. We don't know of any on the East Coast. Most of these pigs are found in the Midwest. We have the largest herd in existence." She encourages anyone who thinks they have Mulefoots, and who isn't already affiliated with the American Mulefoot Registry, to please contact either her or the registry. She sells offspring from her own herd, so anyone interested in helping to preserve the breed can obtain their own breeding stock. Contact: FARM SHOW Followup, Arie McFarlen, Ph. D., Maveric Heritage Ranch Co., 47869 û 242 St., Dell Rapids, S. Dak. 57022 (ph 605 428-5994; info@ maveric9.com; www.maveric9.com) or The American Mulefoot Hog Association and Registry, 18995 V Drive, Tekonsha, Mich. 49092 (ph 517 767-4729; mulefootpigs @aol.com; http://mulefootpigs.tripod.com/id6.html) or The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, Box 477, Pittsboro, N. Carolina 27312 (ph 919 542-5704; fax 919 545-0022; http://albc-usa.org).

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