Breeding

The main objective of the Dutch pig breeder is to create a pig that meets the market's requirements and preferences.
Breeding is nothing more than the selection of boars (male pigs) and sows (female pigs) with the most desirable characteristics, then mating them. In this way breeders attempt to give rise to a new generation that have the desired characteristics and are better than the last generation.
Within VION the policy is not to use genetically modified animals.

Properties
The Netherlands is internationally renowned for the quality of its pig breeding material. This is down to the male pigs' (boars') sperm. The properties of the sperm are the main factors determining the quality of the pig born, and so also of the quality of the pork. The general properties derive from the breed, such as the Dutch Landrace or the Dutch Great Yorkshire breeds. Each breed of pig has its specific characteristics in terms of meat quality, speed of rearing and sensitivity to stress. Stress affects the meat quality. That’s why the stockbreeder and farm take this into account as well.
Other characteristics are more specific. For bacon for the English market the pig must have the right amount of fat in its meat to ensure the best taste and have exactly the correct bacon rind thickness. German buyers want lean meat with a pale colour. This requires a pig with different qualities. For an Italian ham the pig must have a well-developed rump, and the fat content of the meat is also particularly important. Finally, the meat must not lose moisture and colour, and size and weight must be uniform and consistent. The foundation of all these properties is laid when the animal is bred.

Pig farmers use state-of-the-art technology to guarantee the health of man and beast and to enhance the welfare of the animals as far as possible. To guarantee the integrity of the animals, VION does not use animals and products from animals in which genetic modifications have been made artificially.