Farm Animals

Pig Welfare: Lactation Length and Sow Welfare Trade-offs

Pig Welfare: Lactation Length and Sow Welfare Trade-offs - evidence-based welfare information and practical guidance.

Key Facts

Farm animal welfare is governed by legislation, industry standards, and voluntary certification schemes
The Five Domains model assesses nutrition, environment, health, behaviour, and mental state
Scientific welfare monitoring enables continuous improvement across all farm systems
Consumer purchasing decisions incentivise welfare improvements through market signals
Stockperson skill and compassion is among the most important determinants of farm animal welfare

Welfare Considerations

Farm animal welfare requires ongoing attention to both physical and psychological needs. Evidence-based assessment tools enable targeted improvement. The alignment between good welfare management and farm economics is stronger than often assumed, making the case for improvement accessible to producers across different systems.

What You Can Do

Choose higher welfare certified products where available
Support organisations working on farm animal welfare policy and research
Advocate for strong welfare legislation with effective enforcement
Learn about farm animal welfare and share that knowledge