BreedingBreeding Waton Mochibuta – A constantly evolving process
Producing the most delicious pork in Japan.
Global Pig Farms was founded to make this goal a reality, and we have been committed to breeding the finest pigs since our company was first established.
Committed to ensuring a uniform quality –
and improving it further
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▲Sperm for artificial insemination being taken from a boar
Waton Mochibuta* is an original brand of pork created by Global Pig Farms. It features layers of fine-grained fat and juicy, tender meat that offers a rich pork flavor without being too heavy. In developing this breed of pigs, we prioritized both the quality of the meat and economic efficiency. We cross-breed Landrace and Large White pigs, breeds that offer superior fertility, to provide the dams for our Waton Mochibuta breed, while the sires are Duroc pigs, which boast superb meat quality and a high somatic growth rate.
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In fact, only around 5% of the pigs bred on our great grandparent (GGP) farms become sires or maternal grandparents of Waton Mochibuta pigs. This is because we carefully select superior pigs using a computer program that calculates their Estimated Breeding Value, or EBV, a figure that serves as the basis for estimating each pig’s genetic potential. Selection also involves the judgment of gait, body shape, hoof shape, and other characteristics of each pig by our experienced specialists. We have adhered to these strict selection criteria for more than 35 years since our foundation, working to ensure both the stability and the continuous improvement of the quality of our product.
▲The sperm activity of individual male pigs is checked using microscopes
In fact, only around 5% of the pigs bred on our great grandparent (GGP) farms become sires or maternal grandparents of Waton Mochibuta pigs. This is because we carefully select superior pigs using a computer program that calculates their Estimated Breeding Value, or EBV, a figure that serves as the basis for estimating each pig’s genetic potential. Selection also involves the judgment of gait, body shape, hoof shape, and other characteristics of each pig by our experienced specialists. We have adhered to these strict selection criteria for more than 35 years since our foundation, working to ensure both the stability and the continuous improvement of the quality of our product.
*The word “Waton” simply means "Japan-bred pig." “Mochibuta” is a term that we coined ourselves, combining the words “mochi,” which is a type of firm rice cake made from pounded rice, and “buta”, meaning "pork" or "pig." The meat of our Japan-bred pigs boasts the superb balance of firmness and elasticity that is characteristic of mochi cakes.
A reduced fattening period for improved farm management
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▲We measure the backfat thickness of sows in order to determine whether or not their condition is optimal for farrowing
Our continuous breeding efforts have generated favorable outcomes for farm management across our entire group. One example is the improved growth rate that we have achieved. Since 1980, the average daily body weight gain displayed by our pigs has increased from 628 grams to 793 grams per pig. This has shortened the fattening period from birth to shipment by approximately three weeks. In addition to this, we have also succeeded in increasing the weight of each pig at the time of shipment. These achievements have reduced both feed and labor costs, allowing us to realize increased profit per pig.
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Usually, the faster a pig grows, the thicker its layer of fat will be. However, consumers are increasingly demanding less fat and a lighter taste. This has represented an ongoing dilemma for the pig farming industry. Global Pig Farms turned to the United States, a country noted for its advanced pig farming practices, for a solution. With cooperation from Dr. Allan Schinckel of Purdue University, we introduced statistical breeding techniques for the first time in Japan. This led to the successful development of a breed improvement program that realizes faster growth without increasing backfat thickness.
These efforts have enabled Global Pig Farms to deliver its Waton Mochibuta brand of pork, the finest in Japan, to the table at a price that every consumer can afford.
▲The use of specialized equipment to confirm pregnancy at an early stage is one of the many important tasks that ensure the sound management of our farms
Usually, the faster a pig grows, the thicker its layer of fat will be. However, consumers are increasingly demanding less fat and a lighter taste. This has represented an ongoing dilemma for the pig farming industry. Global Pig Farms turned to the United States, a country noted for its advanced pig farming practices, for a solution. With cooperation from Dr. Allan Schinckel of Purdue University, we introduced statistical breeding techniques for the first time in Japan. This led to the successful development of a breed improvement program that realizes faster growth without increasing backfat thickness.
These efforts have enabled Global Pig Farms to deliver its Waton Mochibuta brand of pork, the finest in Japan, to the table at a price that every consumer can afford.
