The "World's Most Attractive Swine"

"My grandfather, John C. Schulte, had Hereford cattle, and that's what led him to breed a Hereford hog," says Orlan Schulte, of Norway, Iowa. "He started with Durocs and black Poland China hogs, then line bred them and bred them back with crosses."

John Schulte started his work in the 1920's and eventually got what he wanted, a red body with white feet and ears, at least 4/5 white face and a tail or tail tip that's white.

Ninety years later, Hereford hogs are considered to be the world's most attractive swine. The National Hereford Hog Association (NHHA) has 2,200 purebred hogs in its registry, although Schulte says there are many more than that in the U.S.

NHHA president, Ellis Burger, bought his first Hereford hog 60 years ago at a county fair. The sow was close to farrowing and the owner didn't think he could get it home in time. Burger lived nearby so he bought it and took it home.

"She raised 10 pigs for me, and the next year she was the champion sow at the Illinois State Fair," Burger says.

He also raised Chester White and other breeds, but eventually sold them all except for the Herefords.

"Hereford is just a good breed that excels over the rest. They grow fast, and they're docile and quiet," Burger says. "They're a smaller breed, and it was easier to buy a good boar." At 81, he still has three sows and has no problem selling the litters.

Schulte's father, Bernard, continued his father's Hereford bloodline, and John Schulte now runs 30 to 40 sows a year.

"They're about as great a mother as I've seen," Schulte says. "They average 7 to 15 a litter and grow fast. Most are pretty good natured."

Sows breed back fast, just three days after weaning, and boars are aggressive breeders.

Hereford hogs have a tough hide and handle cold and warm temperatures well. The meat is redder than most pork and has good marbling. Some growers sell the meat directly to customers.

The cost of good stock is similar to other purebred breeds, Schulte says.

A good place to find out about the breed is at the 2011 NHHA National Show and Sale (Aug. 26-27 in Janesville, Wis.). The association also has a book for sale that explains the history of the breed.

"They're something different that catches the eye. You get them in a pen and you recognize individuals because of their distinct markings," says Schulte.

Because of their medium size and gentle nature, Hereford hogs are ideal for small farms and youth projects.

Schulte is hopeful his children or grandchildren will carry on the family tradition of raising the breed his grandfather developed.

Currently Hereford hogs are more common in the Midwest, but breeding operations are also located on both coasts and as far south as Texas.