Advanced understanding of genetic diversity in commercial pig populations reveals welfare implications of narrow genetic bases and informs breeding strategies that maintain both productivity and welfare.
Narrow genetic diversity in commercial pig populations creates welfare vulnerabilities that may not be apparent until disease or climate challenges expose them. Maintaining genetic diversity through breed conservation, managing effective population sizes in commercial breeds, and incorporating welfare traits into selection indices reduces long-term welfare risks. Advanced genomic selection tools are enabling more precise identification and selection of welfare-relevant genetic variants.