Farm Animals

Farmed Pig Maternal Welfare and Sow Longevity

Improving sow welfare and longevity through better housing, nutrition, and breeding decisions.

Key Facts

Average sow longevity in commercial systems is 2-3 litter cycles before culling
Lame and reproductively failing sows account for most culling decisions
Leg conformation genetics significantly influence sow longevity
Individual feeding in group housing systems supports body condition management
Higher welfare systems tend to achieve better sow longevity through reduced production intensity

Welfare Considerations

Short sow productive lives reflect systems where welfare costs of intensive production accumulate rapidly, and improving longevity is both a welfare and economic goal.

What You Can Do

Support breeding programmes selecting for sow longevity traits
Advocate for longevity data publication as a welfare performance indicator
Choose pork from farms committed to improving sow welfare and productive life