What is a Cinta Senese pig?
The Cinta Senese is a domestic pig breed from Tuscany, Italy, named for the white “belt” around its black body.
It is one of six native pig breeds recognized by the Italian government for its cultural and agricultural importance.
Known for its high-quality meat, it has been awarded PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) or DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) status since 2006, ensuring it is raised traditionally in Tuscany and meets strict quality standards.
Characteristics
Physical Characteristics
Color
The pig’s body is mostly black, but it has a distinct white “belt” that covers its shoulders, chest, and front legs. This is its signature feature.
Head, Face, and Eyes
The head is medium-sized with a slightly curved profile. Its eyes are bright and expressive, giving it a lively appearance.
Teeth
Like other pigs, these pigs have strong teeth that help them chew roots, nuts, and other foraged foods.
Ears
Their ears are medium-sized and slightly floppy, often tilting forward as they forage.
Neck and Shoulders
They have a sturdy neck and well-developed shoulders, which support their muscular upper body.
Legs
The legs are strong and slightly shorter than other breeds, making them excellent for moving around in rough terrain.
Back and Belly
Their back is slightly curved, and their belly is well-rounded, indicating good health and fat reserves.
Teats
Female pigs, including this breed, typically have 10 to 14 teats arranged in two parallel rows along their belly. The number can vary slightly depending on the individual pig, but most have at least 12 functional teats.
Tail
The tail is thin and curly, a typical feature of pigs.
Size
This pig is a medium-sized breed.
Lifespan
These pigs can live up to 12 years if raised in good conditions, which is a notably long lifespan for pigs. In comparison, breeds like the Chester White or Gloucestershire Old Spots typically live much shorter lives, often around 6–10 years under similar conditions.
Growth Rate
How fast do they grow?
Cinta Senese pigs grow slower than commercial breeds like Landrace because of their diet and lifestyle.
This slower growth is key to their high-quality meat. They typically reach a substantial weight of about 176-220 lbs (80–100 kg) within their first 12-14 months.
Sexual maturity is reached at around 10-12 months for females and slightly later for males, which is comparable to many heritage pig breeds.
Weight
This pig breed can reach a weight of 550–660 lbs (250–300 kg), with males generally being heavier than females. Female pigs usually have a maximum weight of 550 lbs (250 kg), while males can reach 660 lbs (300 kg) or sometimes even more.
When young, these pigs can gain around 4–6 lbs (1.8–2.7 kg) per week, depending on their diet and living conditions.
Slaughtered Time
Cinta Senese pigs are typically slaughtered when they reach 14–18 months old, which gives the meat time to develop its rich, distinctive flavor. It is similar to other traditional breeds like the Mangalica pig, also slaughtered at around 16–18 months.
Temperament and Behaviour
Cinta Senese pigs are known for their calm and friendly nature, making them easier to manage compared to some other pig breeds. They are highly intelligent and curious animals, often spending their time exploring their environment.
This breed loves to graze on grasses, forage for acorns, and root for food like tubers and roots. Their natural foraging behavior is essential for their health and contributes to the unique flavor of their meat.
These pigs are social animals that do well in groups, and they can coexist peacefully with other livestock, such as chickens or goats, as long as the space is sufficient and feeding competition is managed.
However, their intelligence and curiosity can sometimes make them a challenge to contain. They are known to test fences and look for escape routes, especially if they sense food nearby or find a weak spot in their enclosure.
As for noise, Cinta Senese pigs are not overly loud compared to some breeds. They usually make vocalizations to communicate with each other or to express excitement, particularly around feeding time. However, their vocalizations are typically not disruptive unless they are distressed or hungry.
Meat
The meat from this breed is famous for its high quality, rich flavor, and health benefits, making it one of the best types of pork available.
Cinta Senese meat is easy to recognize because of its deep red color and the marbled fat that runs through it. This fat makes the meat tender, juicy, and full of flavor, with very little liquid lost during cooking. The pigs’ natural along with their slow growth, gives the meat a unique, rich taste that stands out from regular pork.
This meat isn’t just delicious—it’s healthier too. It contains a lot of unsaturated fatty acids, like Omega-3 and Omega-6, which are good for lowering fat in the blood and reducing the risk of blood clots. The fat is also rich in oleic acid, similar to olive oil, which helps absorb spices and seasonings during curing. This makes the meat perfect for flavorful cured products like salami or prosciutto.
Thanks to its structure and fat content, this pork is ideal for both fresh cuts and cured meats. The fat’s ability to hold water and absorb flavors makes cured products like sausages, prosciutto, and salami incredibly tasty and aromatic. These products are highly valued for their quality and unique flavor.
Raising this pig
Raising these pigs is not hard, but it is a bit unusual because you have to follow specific regulations set by the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) or DOP (Denominazione di Origine Protetta) in Italian.
These rules ensure the pigs are raised traditionally and maintain the high standards of quality and authenticity.
Feeding
You should feed this pig a balanced diet that includes natural forage like acorns, roots, and grasses, which are essential for its health and the quality of its meat. In addition to foraging, you should supplement their diet with cereals and legumes, such as barley, corn, and beans, to ensure they receive enough nutrients, especially when natural food sources are limited.
According to the PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) regulations, the amount of supplementary feed provided to the pigs should not exceed 2% of their body weight. This ensures that the pigs primarily rely on their natural diet of forage, acorns, and grasses, which is critical for maintaining the unique quality and flavor of their meat.
In practice, this means:
- During the late fattening stage, the average daily feed intake is around 5.9 lbs/day (2.7 kg/day), which aligns with the pigs’ weight and nutritional needs at this point in their growth.
- Over the entire fattening period, the pigs consume an average of 4.85-5.3 lbs/day (2.2–2.4 kg/day), staying within the allowed range based on their body weight.
Environment
They are best raised in open, wooded areas where they can forage naturally.
This natural environment is key to their health and the exceptional quality of their meat.
Raising them in an enclosed system without access to grazing and foraging will negatively impact the final product.
Climate
The Cinta Senese lives best in mild climates, like the Tuscan countryside, with moderate temperatures and plenty of shade. They are also adaptable and can also live in colder or hotter climates if the right conditions are provided.
However, the PDO rule states that these pigs must be raised within Tuscany or specific areas approved by the DOP guidelines.
Shelter
Cinta Senese pigs are hardy animals, but they still need simple shelters to protect them from harsh weather, such as rain, wind, and extreme heat. These shelters don’t have to be elaborate. A basic, well-constructed structure is enough as long as it provides adequate protection and comfort.
How many pigs per acre?
You can raise 10 to 12 pigs per acre.
But this depends on how much food the land provides. If the pasture is rich with grass, more pigs can be raised. If the grass is limited, fewer pigs are better to avoid overgrazing.
In wooded spaces, the number of pigs depends on how many acorns or nuts the trees produce. Good acorn seasons can support more pigs, while poor seasons require fewer.
Breeding
When it comes to breeding these pigs, you must ensure you follow all the rules set by the Italian government, especially because of their PDO status. These regulations are in place to protect the breed’s purity, ensure the quality of the meat, and maintain sustainable farming practices.
Key regulations include:
- Breeding Location: Pigs must be bred and raised in Tuscany or specific approved areas to qualify for DOP certification.
- Genetic Purity: Only registered Cinta Senese pigs that meet the breed’s standards can be used for breeding. Crossbreeding with other breeds is not allowed under DOP rules.
- Natural Breeding Methods: Breeding should follow traditional methods, avoiding artificial interventions whenever possible.
- Diet and Environment: Breeding pigs must be raised in a natural environment with access to forage, and their diet must meet strict standards (acorns, grass, legumes, cereals, etc.).
- Record-Keeping: Farmers are required to keep detailed records of each pig’s lineage, diet, and living conditions to ensure transparency and compliance.
The sows typically have 6–8 piglets per litter on average. This number is lower compared to commercial breeds, but it is consistent with other heritage breeds.
The mothers usually have enough milk to raise their piglets, thanks to their well-developed teats and strong maternal instincts. They are considered excellent mothers, known for their attentiveness and ability to care for their young.
Health issues
Although this breed is generally hardy and well-suited to outdoor living and natural foraging, it can still be prone to certain health issues. However, these are not conditions unique to this breed.
- Parasites: Due to their free-range lifestyle, they can be exposed to internal and external parasites. Regular deworming and proper hygiene in their environment are essential to prevent infestations.
- Foot and Joint Problems: Because they are often raised in rugged terrains, there’s a potential for foot injuries or joint stress, especially if the land is rocky or uneven.
- Inbreeding Concerns: Since Cinta Senese is a heritage breed with a smaller population, there is a risk of inbreeding, which can lead to genetic weaknesses over time. Careful breeding management is necessary to maintain a healthy gene pool.
Advantages and Disadvantages
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Low-maintenance diet | Slower growth rate compared to commercial breeds |
| Hardy and adaptable to outdoor living | Farmers must follow PDO (DOP) rules for breeding and raising. |
| High-quality, flavorful meat | Needs specific climate and conditions |
| Great mothering skills. | Only pigs officially registered and certified as part of the breed can be used for breeding. |
History and Origins
This Tuscan breed has a history that stretches back to ancient times. Its name, meaning “belt of Siena,” reflects the unique white band encircling its chest, shoulders, and front legs, making it instantly recognizable. This characteristic has even been immortalized in historical artwork.
One of the earliest artistic depictions of these animals can be found in the 1338 fresco Effects of the Good Government – The Well-Governed Countryside by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, located in Siena’s Town Hall. The image highlights the breed’s long-standing role in Tuscan culture and farming.
Originally from the Montagnola Senese, a hilly region in Siena province, these animals thrived in areas rich with oak forests. The acorns, roots, and wild plants found in these woods were ideal for their foraging habits, making them a natural fit for the region’s ecosystem.
For centuries, this breed was an essential part of rural life in Tuscany, with nearly every farming family raising them. However, after World War II, the rise of faster-growing commercial breeds, like the Large White, caused a dramatic decline in their numbers. By the mid-20th century, they were on the verge of disappearing.
In recent decades, there has been a renewed appreciation for these traditional animals. Known for producing exceptional quality meat, they have become a symbol of sustainable farming and a celebration of Tuscany’s rich agricultural heritage. Today, this breed represents not only history but also the future of artisanal farming practices.
