The Ukrainian Spotted Steppe (Ukrainian: Українська степова ряба порода, Ukrajinska stepowa ryaba poroda) is a lard-type pig breed from Ukraine.
The breed was developed by M.F. Ivanov on Askania Nova farm by crossing improved pigs native to southern Ukraine with Large White boars. It was the first Soviet experience in developing a new breed and the method used has become the classic breeding technology which was subsequently employed in developing many Soviet breeds. The Ukrainian White Steppe was also the first breed developed with the specific purpose of combining the high productivity of improved breeds with the hardiness and local adaptation of native pigs. To consolidate the inherited qualities of the best crosses during the breed’s development a high degree of inbreeding was practised combined with rigid culling based on such desirable qualities as ruggedness of constitution.
The breed was recognized in 1932. It ranks third in numbers in the USSR. Its population was 812 000 in 1964, 487 000 in 1969 and 738 000 in 1974. As of 1 January 1980 its total population stood at 636 300 including 524 200 purebreds, of which 12 500 were breeding boars, 800 boars on the test, 88 400 breeding sows and 52 300 sows on the test.
The Ukrainian White Steppe differs a little from the Large White in conformation. It has a medium-sized head with a slightly dished face, large ears slightly drooping over the eyes, denser bone, deeper and wider body, strong legs, compact skin and dense bristles. The colour is white.
The 1983 evaluation gave the following results: live weight of 36-month-old boars – 322 kg, body length – 183 cm, sow live weight – 238 kg, body length – 164 cm, litter size – 10.8, weight of month-old litter – 48 kg, weight of two-month-old litter – 148 kg. The results obtained at breeding centres were somewhat higher: live weight of 36-month-old boars – 338 kg, body length – 186 cm, sow live weight -243 kg, body length – 165 cm, litter size – 11.2, the weight of month-old litter – 50 kg, weight of two-month-old litter – 158 kg.
The performance test produced the following results: time to reach 100 kg body weight – 186 days, feed/kg gain – 3.76 fodder units, backfat thickness – 28 cm, length of the carcass – 97 cm, ham weight – 10.5 kg.
In 1984 the breed’s champion was the boar Askaniets 4497 owned by the Askania Nova experimental farm in Kherson region, which gave the following figures: live weight at 32 months – 403 kg, body length – 185 cm. Its offspring gave the following results in the fattening performance test: time to gain 100 kg body weight – 177 days, feed/kg gain – 3.8 fodder units, backfat thickness – 28 mm, ham weight – 12.2 kg. The 14 sows sired by him produced litters with an average size of 12.2 and weight at one-month-old of 63 kg.
The Ukrainian Steppe White is better adapted to the continental climate of south Ukraine than the Large White. It has a more solid but more rugged conformation.
The breed consists of 15 boar lines and 55 sow families.
The breed is zoned for raising in Kherson, Zaporozhye, Odessa and Nikolaev regions of Ukraine as well as in some regions of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Turkmenia and Moldavia. Continued improvement of the Ukrainian White Steppe is conducted at 3 breeding centres, 2 breeding state farms and 32 breeding farms under the direction of the Ukrainian Research Institute for Animal Husbandry in the Steppe Regions. The main breeding centres are Askania Nova and Sivash in Kherson region, and Zarya collective farm in Zaporozhye region. Selection is for improved fattening