This will be a several part series that addresses how our farmers ensure that today’s livestock are healthy, safe, and are free from disease that could affect our food supply. The following information was provided by the National Pork Board (Des Moines, Iowa) and the Kentucky Pork Producers Association.

Safe food begins with healthy animals and quality care. Animal well-being is our ethical responsibility and it’s a top focus every day on the farm.

Maintaining animal welfare through specific sow housing components

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV) have found there is no one-size-fits-all approach — tradeoffs exist with each housing type. No animal housing option is perfect, and that’s why pig farmers rely on input from veterinarians and other animal health experts when determining which one will help maintain the highest levels of animal welfare.

Through continuous improvement and adherence to the highest possible standards for animal care and welfare, pig farmers can ensure their animals are healthy and productive by addressing specific needs of their animals.

According to the AASV Sow Housing Mission, specific components of every housing type must be considered when selecting which one is right on every farm.

Regardless of the housing option chosen, the farm must:

• Provide every animal with access to feed and water

• Protect sows and piglets from environmental extremes, like temperature, and resulting detrimental effects

• Reduce exposure to conditions that promote disease, injury or pain

• Allow pigs to show appropriate behaviors within the constraints of the housing

• Minimize aggression and competition among sows

• Promote good air quality and sanitation

• Facilitate efficient evaluation and care of animals

• Protect worker safety

Sow housing options and tradeoffs

Though group housing does allow sows to move more freely, there are tradeoffs. Social interaction among sows, especially when gestating, can allow for harmful behaviors that can lead to health issues like lameness from injuries inflicted by other sows and disparities in feed intake, both of which can adversely affect each sow’s performance. In dynamic group housing environments, sows are moved in and out of housing more frequently, and these types of changes can cause stress on animals that can also influence health and productivity.

Individual space for each sow does cut back on the overall freedom of movement. However, individual housing enables pig farmers to better monitor health and nutrition, thereby ensuring the best care for each animal. This is especially critical when sows are pregnant and prone to aggression, and individual gestation stalls enable farmers to better monitor the rapidly changing nutritional needs and veterinary care throughout gestation.

Individual housing for sows also makes pig farms safer workplaces for farmers by reducing the potential for injuries more common in group housing.

Selecting the right housing option for sows is ultimately a decision each pig farmer makes. And they do so through consultation with their herd veterinarian, based on his or her specific circumstances and management preferences. They balance this input alongside veterinary experts focused on animal welfare. Despite the differences of open and individual housing for sows, animal well-being is priority No. 1. The path taken should be one that enables the farmer to provide the highest level of care for his or her animals in a safe, secure working environment.

Read more about the national pork industry's animal welfare standards at porkcares.org.

From the Farm

Caleb Ragland, Kentucky Pig Farmer

No two pig farms are exactly alike, but as pig farmers, we all share a common goal: to maintain the highest level of animal welfare possible. A big part of that effort lies in determining the right housing for our pigs, especially sows.

There’s no one-size-fits-all choice for housing sows — it’s up to the individual farm to determine, with their veterinarian, what type of housing will be best. Some farms use group housing for their gestating sows, while other farms use individual stalls for their sows.

Pregnant sows require individual care throughout their gestation period. I’ve seen health and welfare issues spring up among animals in group settings — especially sows, which can get awfully territorial sometimes.

To me, raising pigs is all about doing everything I can to provide a healthy environment for my animals. It’s by far our highest priority on our farm. While other types of barns and settings may work better for other farmers, gestation stalls are the best choice for my farm because they enable me to focus specifically on each individual sow’s health and ensure I’m providing the best, most compassionate care I can.