Commercial sow longevity is declining — many sows are culled by their third parity. Understanding why and how to improve longevity benefits both sow welfare and farm sustainability.
Commercial sow longevity is a welfare indicator with direct practical implications: sows who are culled at their second or third parity have experienced significant reproductive workload but leave the system before they can even partially recover from the body condition depletion of intensive production. The culling decision is often driven by economic calculation — a sow whose productivity has declined is replaced by a gilt. But the welfare cost of short productive lives in demanding conditions is real. Farms that invest in sow health — floor quality to prevent lameness, body condition management during lactation, pain treatment — achieve better longevity that is both more humane and more profitable.