American Berkshire Association

            With more than 300 members across the United States, the American Berkshire Association (ABA) is the official national registry for the Berkshire breed of pigs.

            According to its mission statement, the ABA has two primary jobs:

·        Promote the Berkshire breed of hogs, and

·        Maintain breed purity though registration of purebred Berkshires.

Based in West Lafayette, Indiana, the association has been committed to both points with equal fervor since it was founded in 1875. Every registered Berkshire pig can be traced to its genetic origin through the ABA’s now-computerized pedigree system.

Though it is the oldest American swine breed organization, the ABA also is the pork industry’s fastest-growing purebred registry. Through the first three-quarters of 2002, the Berkshire breed ranked first among the eight major U.S. swine breeds in the number of litter registrations and transfers it handled for its members.

Dedicated Berkshire breeders focus on delivering the superior meat quality that drives the popularity of Berkshire pork among discerning culinary experts in the United States as well as in the Berkshire breed’s largest traditional export market, Japan.

In fact, Japanese customers have a special name for the Berkshire breed. They call it kurobuta, or “black hog.” Because pork from the Berkshire is so tender, juicy and flavorful, the Japanese have long recognized the value of Berkshire pork and are willing to pay a premium for it. Thus, most of the Berkshire pork produced in the United States has been exported to Japan.

That’s beginning to change, however, as breeders of registered purebred Berkshires are expanding their production. This increased capacity means more consumers in the United States have the opportunity to experience the superior meat quality of Berkshire pork.