Farm Animals

Pig Welfare and Neonatal Mortality Prevention 2026

Neonatal piglet mortality remains unacceptably high, with better farrowing management and sow genetics offering significant opportunities for improvement.

Key Facts

8-15% of piglets born alive die before weaning in commercial production systems
Crushing by the sow accounts for up to 50% of neonatal deaths
Hypothermia within 24 hours of birth is a major contributing cause of death
Colostrum intake within the first 12 hours is critical for survival and immunity
Electronic monitoring systems can alert stockpeople to farrow onset within 30 minutes

Welfare Considerations

Neonatal mortality represents enormous, often preventable suffering. Investment in supervision, pen design, and monitoring technology dramatically reduces deaths.

What You Can Do

Advocate for farrowing supervision standards in pig welfare schemes
Support research on farrowing pen design that reduces crushing
Choose higher-welfare pork from farms with documented neonatal protocols