Sow longevity - the number of productive cycles a sow completes before culling - is both a production efficiency measure and a key welfare indicator. Improving longevity benefits sows throughout their lives.
Sow longevity is a powerful welfare indicator because it integrates multiple welfare domains across time. A sow culled at second parity because of lameness developed in poor housing, fed inadequate nutrition, and housed in stressful conditions has experienced welfare failure across multiple dimensions. A sow that completes 7-8 productive cycles in good body condition has been well-managed throughout. Lifetime productivity and welfare are aligned: sows that are healthy, well-nourished and housed appropriately produce more piglets over longer lives. Farm targets for average parity at culling provide a simple, actionable welfare metric that reflects management quality across the whole production cycle.