Source:  John Strak, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 12/27/10

The British Pig Executive (BPEX) is part of a new research project to develop a system of evaluating pig welfare using science-based methods that measure welfare outcomes. These will be additional to “traditional” welfare "inputs," such as stocking density and pen enrichment.

Lameness, tail lesions, body lesions, hospitalisation and enrichment use were identified as suitable indicators of finisher pigs’ well-being in pilot trials by BPEX and the University of Bristol in England. Sows will also be assessed for body condition score, shoulder and vulva lesions. These indicators will be the starting point for vets and producers to determine if there are any aspects of the pigs’ environment or management that could be changed to improve welfare and productivity.

The BPEX-led project aims to establish benchmarks for pig welfare that will work across all types of production system. Around 20 pig vets will make assessments on 180 commercial pig farms, starting in early 2011. A total of 360 farm visits will be made to gather the information required over time.

“The project will provide an objective means of demonstrating that producers are good 'welfarists,’ instead of being judged on type or size of unit or the perception that one production system is better than another,” said BPEX head of research and development Dr. Mike Varley. “Plus, it will provide a valuable tool to help inform management decisions on-farm.”

Welfare will be evaluated during vets’ routine quarterly farm visits, to build up a set of anonymous data and start to identify typical values to benchmark welfare. The assessments will cover finishing pigs in straw and non-straw systems as well as indoor and outdoor breeding sow systems.
 

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.