Genetic advances relevant to pig welfare in 2026 include improved selection tools for welfare traits, polled pig breeding, and genomic approaches to reducing inherited welfare problems.
Genetic advances in 2026 are expanding the toolkit for embedding welfare improvement into pig genetics rather than relying entirely on management and housing. Selection for welfare traits including resilience, disease resistance, and behavioural characteristics complements environmental welfare improvements. The long-term genetic trajectory of pig breeding toward welfare-positive traits represents an important and durable welfare advance.