IV.

Swine

Recent evidence suggests that swine were domesticated about 9,000 years ago in several world regions simultaneously. Worldwide population is estimated to be more than 940 million. Approximately half are raised in Asia, primarily in China. Europe, North America, and South America also have large numbers. Unlike most domestic animals, pigs are omnivorous and compete directly with humans for many foods. In the United States their production is concentrated in the Midwest, where pig husbandry is based on the conversion of corn and soybean meal into meat under intensive conditions. See also Hog.