Pig Farming

Pig Reproductive Welfare and Sow Longevity

Sow reproductive welfare and longevity are closely linked, with management practices affecting both individual welfare and productive lifespan.

Key Facts

Average sow culling rate in intensive systems is 40-50% per year
Lameness, reproductive failure, and body condition loss are primary culling reasons
Sows in poor body condition at farrowing produce less milk and have poorer piglet outcomes
Extended lactation improves sow recovery but reduces annual litter numbers
Genetic selection for longevity and robustness improves both welfare and lifetime production

Welfare Considerations

High sow culling rates reflect poor welfare throughout the reproductive cycle. Sows culled for lameness have typically been in pain for extended periods before removal. Improving sow longevity through better nutrition, housing, and genetics reduces the welfare cost of premature culling and improves the welfare of individual animals throughout a longer, healthier productive life.

What You Can Do

Support pig welfare standards measuring sow culling rates as a welfare indicator
Advocate for longevity and robustness to be included in sow genetic selection criteria
Choose pork from farms with documented low sow culling rates