Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
The micron system is based on actual measurements of individual fibers. Very fine
fibers of wool measure less than 17.7 mm while very coarse fibers are 36 to 40 mmin
average diameter. Because wool is a natural fiber, not all fibers are the same diameter. A
batch of wool that is more uniform is more valuable than a highly variable batch. The
uniformity of a batch of wool is expressed by its coefficient of variation. Lower coeffi-
cients of variation indicate more uniform wool.
The U.S. government has established standards for all wool products in commer-
cial trade. Strict observance of these standards makes selling and buying more risk free.
Similar standards exist for “grease mohair,” which is the fiber from Angora goats.
Fine mohair measures less than 23 mm while the most coarse mohair is over 43 mmin
average diameter.
7.7
SWINE PRODUCTION
Latin Name: Sus scrofa
Other English Names: Pig, sow, boar, gilt, barrow, hog
There are four subspecies of swine, each one occupying distinct geographic regions
of the world. Sus scrofa scrofa is found in western Africa and Europe. Sus scrofa ussur-
icus is in northern Asia and Japan. Sus scrofa cristatus is common in Asia Minor and
India while Sus scrofa vittatus is limited to Indonesia.
The countries with significant swine populations are shown in Figure 7.26. The
country with the most swine is China with 488 billion swine. The second country in
order of swine population is the United States with only 60 billion animals, followed
by Brazil, Germany, and Spain. The countries with the lowest swine populations are
predominantly Muslim or Jewish.
Swine are raised entirely for meat purposes. Other products obtained from swine
are incidental to meat processing. When raised under sanitary conditions, swine are
relatively disease free. However, swine left to forage around a village or that have
become wild can be infected with parasites such as Trichinella. This causes the
disease known as Trichinellosis (also known as trichinosis). These parasites infest
muscle and blood vessel tissues causing pain and in severe cases may lead to death.
Thorough cooking of the meat of infected animals will destroy the larvae. However,
any portion not well cooked can harbor living larvae that will subsequently infect
the person who consumes the meat.
Swine are often considered “dirty” because they use their snouts to root in the earth
and mud. When left to roam freely, swine tend to wallow in wet earth or mud, mostly
for cooling purposes on hot days. A coating of mud is used by many animals to dislodge
ticks and smother lice and fleas. In cool weather, swine tend to be clean animals.
Another swine-related phrase in the English language is “to eat like a pig.” Swine
have the reputation for eating noisily and to spread bits of food around. There is some
truth to this since swine are rather noisy when eating and, in their haste to eat, often
drop bits of food.
