BETTER RED

We have a head start with the pig breed we champion at Waratah Farm: the Duroc. The meat from the Duroc breed is renowned for its colour, taste, tenderness and succulence. You can tell it just by looking at it, exhibiting a darker red colour than typical commodity pork meat. But it’s the eating that really sets Duroc pork apart. Like Wagyu beef, Duroc pork has a higher percentage of intramuscular fat. It also has a higher pH than average pork, which delivers a sweeter taste, improved succulence and a natural tenderness.

BETTER BRED

The Duroc pigs we raise at Waratah Farm are that little bit special again thanks to our advanced breeding programme. Like a pure-breed stud, our operation at Waratah Farm has been improving the genetic line of the Duroc for well over 40 years. Our own early successes have been improved by the involvement of New Zealand’s leading animal improvement specialists, Animal Breeding Services. It means we now have a thriving sideline selling genetics to other producers. Today, we can safely say that a Waratah Farm Duroc is the King of the King of pigs.

BETTER FED

At the heart of our pigs’ care programme is their feed, which is all planned and overseen by our dedicated animal nutritionist.
One key component is corn. Corn-fed pigs produce more succulent, tastier meat than those fed on cheaper, harder grains. And it’s just part of a varied, nutritionally-balanced diet. Including, as part of our commitment to regenerative farming, occasional treats such as ice cream and cheese that get discarded from the human food chain.

BETTER BIRTHING

The intense care lavished on our pigs starts at birth. We make extensive use of freedom farrowing pens, which allow sows good freedom of movement while helping protect young piglets from being squashed by their mother.

BETTER CARE

Sometimes it’s the small things that make all the difference. At Waratah Farm we do not clip the tails of our pigs. Traditionally, clipping has been used to ensure that pigs do not bite their mates’ tails (a vice like finger biting). Instead, we have worked on environmental and breeding improvements that make it unnecessary to remove that curly tail. Long tails are a sign of success at Waratah Farm.
Similarly, any use of medication and antibiotics is strictly controlled. If needed they are administered on an individual basis only, and there is emphatically no blanket antibiotic use. Our pigs are individuals, and we care for them as such.

BETTER LIVING

We try to make life on the farm for our pigs a bowl of cherries. (Or a bowl of ice cream, as pointed out above.) Our pigs roam around high-stud, open-air barns offering an abundance of light and fresh air while giving protection from the elements. Floors are covered in rootable material such as sawdust, which the pigs love playing in, and they get to socialise in large groups. Talking of play, a surprising number of toys feature in our pigs’ lives: it’s a great way to indulge their curious, playful side. It may come as no surprise that an enjoyable, low-stress life also benefits the tenderness of the meat produced.
Bred for taste, tenderness and succulence, once you’ve enjoyed Waratah Farm Duroc pork you’ll never want to eat ordinary pork again.