The quality of the human-animal relationship on pig farms significantly affects pig welfare, fear levels, and stress responses. Positive handling experience from early life reduces fear and improves welfare throughout production.
Pigs that fear humans live under chronic stress during all human interactions, which occur multiple times daily. This fear is not innate but develops from negative experiences. Farms that invest in stockperson training and create cultures of positive animal interaction achieve measurably better welfare outcomes across multiple indicators.