Farm Animal Welfare

Pig Sow Longevity and Welfare Economics

Improving sow longevity reduces welfare problems associated with frequent replacement and improves the economic sustainability of pig farming.

Key Facts

Average sow longevity in the UK is 4-5 litters before culling
Leading causes of premature culling include lameness, reproductive failure, and body condition loss
Longer-lived sows have lower replacement costs and higher lifetime output
Welfare investment in feet, nutrition, and housing improves longevity
Genetic selection for longevity traits is showing commercial interest

Welfare Considerations

High replacement rates in sow herds mean that animals are frequently managed through their most stressful productive phases with high culling rates from welfare-compromising conditions including lameness. Improving sow longevity through better welfare management creates a virtuous cycle where healthier animals live longer, reducing welfare problems and improving economic outcomes.

What You Can Do

Support economic analyses linking welfare investment to sow longevity
Advocate for longevity as a breeding objective in pig genetic programmes
Learn about the welfare and economic benefits of reducing sow replacement rates