Pig genetics can be selected for health and robustness as well as productivity. Welfare-aware breeding programs demonstrate that these goals are complementary.
Pig breeding has historically optimized for growth rate, feed efficiency, and carcass quality at the expense of health and robustness. This has created animals predisposed to leg problems, cardiovascular weakness, and stress sensitivity. Genomic selection now enables breeders to include health and welfare traits in breeding programs without sacrificing production efficiency. Selecting against leg problems, for cardiovascular health, and for temperament traits that reduce aggression and stress sensitivity directly improves welfare while also reducing veterinary costs. The alignment of welfare and economic interests in breeding makes this an unusually tractable welfare improvement pathway.