Farm Animals

Pig Welfare and Welfare and Genomic Selection 2026

Genomic selection is transforming pig breeding, with welfare traits including disease resistance and stress susceptibility now incorporated into selection indexes.

Key Facts

Genomic selection can improve welfare traits 30% faster than traditional breeding methods
Stress susceptibility (PSS - porcine stress syndrome) has been largely eliminated through genomic selection
Disease resistance traits including PRRS resistance are being incorporated into breeding programs
Leg strength and foot health are welfare traits increasingly included in breeding indexes
Welfare trait selection must be balanced against production traits to prevent trade-offs

Welfare Considerations

Genomic selection can deliver welfare improvements embedded in pig genetics that persist regardless of management. Prioritising welfare traits in breeding programs is a long-term welfare investment.

What You Can Do

Advocate for welfare traits in pig breeding indexes
Support research on genomic markers for pig welfare traits
Engage with the welfare implications of pig genomic selection