Genetic advances in 2026 are improving pig welfare through selection for health, robustness, and reduced susceptibility to welfare-compromising conditions.
Genetic advances in 2026 represent the first generation of pig genetics explicitly including welfare-relevant traits in commercial selection. While production traits still dominate, the inclusion of disease resistance, longevity, and robustness creates genetic progress toward pigs that are inherently more resilient and less prone to the conditions causing welfare problems. This long-term investment in welfare genetics pays dividends across the billions of pigs produced annually from selected parent stock.