Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Gimmer
A female which has not yet borne a lamb.
Ewe
A female which has borne lambs.
Cast ewe
One which has been removed from the breeding flock.
Pigs
According to the most recent world census data, 2011,
there were 963 million pigs worldwide. The leading 12
pig-producing countries in order of numbers slaugh-
tered are the following (in millions): Republic of China,
672.3; United States, 111; Germany, 59.7; Vietnam, 44.2;
Spain, 41.7; Brazil, 34.9; Russian Federation, 29; France,
24.8; Philippines, 24.3; Poland, 22; Denmark, 20.9; and
Japan, 16.4. The number of pigs slaughtered worldwide
was 1382.6 m (FAOSTAT). Over the past decade, pig
production in China, the United States and Vietnam has
grown significantly. In 1997, in the Netherlands, a severe
outbreak of classical swine fever led to a major culling
programme which removed 40% of the Dutch annual
production (6% EU total annual output) during that
year. Since then, the Dutch government has decided to
introduce stringent new legislation which limits the size
of the national herd to 80% of the 1996 herd size.
Figure 1.8
A ewe and lambs.
Pig breeds
A breed is defined as 'A group of animals that has been
selected by man to possess a uniform appearance that is
inheritable and distinguishes it from other groups of
Figure 1.9
A Blackface ram.
Figure 1.10
Sheep being moved into lairage.
