Which breed is the fourth most recorded US swine breed, characterized by a large LEA and minimal back fat?

The Hampshire breed stands out as the fourth most recorded swine breed in the United States, primarily due to its distinctive characteristics. One of the defining features of Hampshire swine is their large loin eye area (LEA), which is a measure of the meat quality and yield. A larger LEA is indicative of greater muscle tissue and a higher amount of meat available for processing, making this breed particularly valuable in the pork production industry.

Additionally, Hampshire swine are known for having minimal back fat, which contributes to their overall efficiency in lean meat production. This low level of back fat not only enhances meat quality but also aligns with consumer preferences for leaner pork options.

These attributes have made the Hampshire breed popular among producers looking to optimize meat yield and quality in their operations. In contrast, other breeds such as Duroc, Yorkshire, and Berkshire have different characteristics or rankings in terms of the number of registrations, focusing on traits like growth rate or specific meat qualities that differentiate them from Hampshires.