The history of the American Pasture Pig (APP) breed begins with the development of Idaho Pasture Pigs (IPPs) by Gary Farris and Shelly Dixon in the early to mid-2000s. Their goal was to create a breed that could thrive on pasture, exhibit a calm temperament, and efficiently convert grass into high-quality pork. By crossing Duroc, Old-line Berkshire, and KuneKune pigs, they laid the foundation for a breed capable of excelling in pasture-based systems.

In 2019, recognizing the need for greater consistency and performance, a group of dedicated breeders began focused efforts to improve these pasture pigs. The aim was to enhance integrity, ensure efficiency, and establish consistency. These efforts culminated in the formation of the American Pasture Pig Society (APPS) in 2022, which formally established the APP as a distinct breed. A rigorous Standard of Excellence was developed to ensure only pigs aligning these standards would be considered part of the APPS herdbook.

The APP—known as the Practical Pasture Pig—is characterized by its moderate mature size, making it easy to manage and reducing the risk of pasture degradation. Known for their calm and docile temperament, APPs are ideal for family-run farms. They excel in utilizing pasture, consuming large amounts of forage, which reduces the need for supplemental feed, making them both cost-effective and environmentally sustainable. Their efficient growth, reaching 250-300 lbs in 8-10 months, results in premium pork that appeals to consumers seeking high-quality, pasture-raised meat.

In addition to their pasture efficiency, APPs are highly adaptable to a wide range of climates, making them suitable for diverse agricultural regions. The breed’s sound structure contributes to longevity, with sows noted for their strong maternal instincts and high weaning rates, which enhance profitability by reducing human intervention and maximizing offspring survival.

APP boars are highly valued for their reproductive performance, exhibiting strong libido, good sperm quality, and ease of handling. They also contribute to the breed’s high carcass quality, with a balanced muscle-to-fat ratio, producing pork that’s tender, flavorful, and marbled. These characteristics make APP pork highly marketable and sought after by consumers.

The APPS herdbook is currently open, signaling that the breed is still in development. The herdbook will be closed once the APPS Board of Directors determines that the breed has sufficient genetic diversity for long-term sustainability. Seven generations of documented breeding and refinement are required for a line to be considered a pure APP, ensuring that the breed will maintain the genetic diversity needed for continued success.

APPS breeders continue to refine traits such as pasture efficiency, carcass quality, strong maternal instincts, gentle temperament, superior reproductive qualities, and sound structure. These ongoing efforts ensure that the breed continues to align with the APPS Standard of Excellence, maximizing profitability for pasture-based farms while providing a high-quality pork option for personal use, commercial, and specialty markets.

The APP breed showcases the dedication of farmers and breeders to sustainable livestock practices and high-quality, pasture-raised pork. Its continuous improvement reflects the collective effort to strike a practical balance between productivity, sustainability, and top-tier pork quality.