Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Sow Longevity and Reproductive Welfare

Sow longevity in commercial pig farming has declined as production intensity has increased, with most sows culled after 3-5 parities despite having productive lives potentially lasting many more years.

Key Facts

Average sow herd life in commercial systems is often under 3 years
Leg and foot problems are the leading cause of premature culling
High parity sows (6+ litters) can still be productive with good management
Prolonging productive sow life improves welfare by reducing the number of first-parity high-risk sows
Better genetics, flooring and nutrition can extend productive life substantially

Welfare Considerations

Short sow productive life represents both a welfare and sustainability concern. Culling sows prematurely due to preventable problems like lameness wastes reproductive years that could be productive and welfare-positive for well-managed sows. Investment in leg health through genetics, flooring quality and nutrition extends productive life, reduces suffering from lameness-related culling, and improves the welfare of pigs per kilogram of pork produced.

What You Can Do

Support research into extending sow productive life through welfare-focused management
Advocate for sow longevity as a welfare indicator in pig certification schemes
Choose pork from farms demonstrating good sow longevity and welfare records