Originally from Yorkshire England, the Australian Yorkshires were derived from the
original English breed of domesticated pig. This
particular breed is also known as the most common breed in Australia.
In 2001, a study
was conducted at the Institute of Agricultural Sciences of South Vietnam that
compared the Australian Yorkshire and the Duroc to common Vietnamese pigs. It concluded that the
Australian breeds had a significant advantage over Vietnamese breeds in
growth efficiency, and in littering performance.
The Australian
Yorkshire is marketed globally, with special modifications being made for Asian
markets. For example, Australian Yorkshires supplied by Australian Pork Limited
was opened to specifically change the diet of the pigs to please consumers in
Singapore. The pigs sold in Singapore were fed barley, grains, and soy beans,
rather than whey powder, as the whey powder gave the meat a milky taste that
was not well received.