Pigs : DUROC

Origin: USA

Australian Status:

International Status:

Arrived in Australia: The Duroc was first imported to Australia in 1922 but had a short-lived popularity and became extinct here in the 1940's.  Durocs were reintroduced from new bloodlines from New Zealand and Canada.

Australian Population:

Distribution:

History: The modern Duroc originated from crosses of two red breeds from the United States, the Jersey Red and the Duroc from New York, producing a much more compact animal that the rangy and very large Jersey Red.

Breeds traits: The Duroc is a very large pig with small broken ears. They are reddish in colour, varying from brassy gold to a deep mahogany. Black is discouraged. Unfortunately, Durocs seem to be endowed with much coarser bristles than other breeds and this makes the carcass hard to clean.

Durocs are widely used as terminal sires in Hybrid breeding programs, the sows must be heavily selected to be feminine and soft in the underline otherwise they tend to be too lean and will not milk as well. Durocs hang up really well and have the ability to develop marbling if not grown too fast. As Americans skin their pigs the heavy bristle and sometimes “5 o'clock Shadow” that can be seen on the carcass is not so much of a problem for processors as here. It is worth selecting lighter coloured and finer coated Durocs if you can as the rough heavy coated Durocs are also becoming diminished in numbers and bre ones tend to throw more hair.

Purebreders as new entries to the market tend to prefer other breeds for their maternal abilities but will often use a terminal Duroc sire. It is important to protect the sow lines so these terminal sires can be produced.

Breed Organisations:

Additional Notes:

Back to Pigs