Livestock Mortality Audit: Learning from Deaths

Mortality rates in livestock are an important welfare indicator. Systematically investigating and recording deaths enables identification of patterns and problems, driving improvements in health management and welfare.

Key Facts

Benchmark mortality rates vary by species: pigs 2-5%, broilers 3-5%, dairy cows 5-8% annually
Sudden unexplained deaths warrant post-mortem examination to identify preventable causes
Mortality auditing is required by some assurance schemes but voluntary in most jurisdictions
Pattern recognition in mortality data can identify housing, management, or disease problems early
Culling decisions (euthanasia of animals unfit for transport or recovery) are welfare-positive when timely
High on-farm mortality indicates welfare problems that may affect the entire population before individual deaths

Welfare Considerations

Every farm animal death represents either an unavoidable loss or a potentially preventable welfare failure. Without systematic recording and investigation, patterns in mortality go unrecognized and problems persist. Farms that carefully track mortality data, investigate causes through post-mortem examination, and benchmark against industry norms consistently achieve better welfare outcomes and lower mortality rates. The willingness to examine deaths as potential welfare failures rather than routine commercial losses reflects a culture of continuous welfare improvement. Timely and humane euthanasia for animals with no prospect of recovery is itself a welfare-positive action.

What You Can Do

Support assurance schemes that require mortality recording and investigation as a standard
Advocate for mandatory mortality reporting as a welfare monitoring tool in commercial livestock production
Ask food businesses whether they require mortality auditing from their supply chain
Support veterinary engagement in farm mortality review processes
Encourage a culture where deaths are investigated and learned from rather than normalized