
ANIMAL WELFARE
The following page presents animal welfare projects supported by Swine Innovation Porc since 2010. Click on the fact sheets below to learn more about each project.
SOWS AND GILTS
Optimizing sow productivity and management: Impact of grouping practices on sow reproductive performance and piglet development and risk factors for sow mortality
Jennifer Brown, Prairie Swine Centre
Status: Ongoing. Results expected in 2023.
National sow housing conversion project
Jennifer Brown, Prairie Swine Centre
Status: Completed in 2018.
Optimizing flooring and social management of group housed gestating sows
Laurie Connor, University of Manitoba
Status: Completed in 2018.
Sow Housing: risk factors and assessment techniques for lameness, productivity and longevity in group and individually housed gestating sows
Laurie Connor, University of Manitoba and Nicolas Devillers, AAFC Sherbrooke
Status: Completed in 2013.
TRANSPORT
Effects of long distance transport on the health and welfare of early weaned pigs
Jennifer Brown, Prairie Swine Centre
Status: Ongoing. Results expected in 2023.
Monitoring the effects of transport on the behaviour, physiology, carcass and meat quality of pigs through the study of truck micro-climate, vibrations and cooling systems
Luigi Faucitano, AAFC Sherbrooke
Status: Completed in 2018.
A study on the efficiency of water sprinkling in the truck after loading and prior to unloading at two different environmental temperatures on core body temperature and carcass and meat quality in pigs
Luigi Faucitano, AAFC Sherbrooke
Status: Completed in 2013.
EUTHANASIA TECHNIQUES
Use of non-penetrating captive bolt for euthanasia of neonate, suckling and weaned piglets up to 9 kg
Tina Widowski, University of Guelph and Suzanne Millman, Iowa State University
Status: Completed in 2013.
PIGLETS
Determining the optimum space allowance for nursery pigs
Jennifer Brown, Prairie Swine Centre
Status: Completed in 2018.
WELFARE ASSESSMENT
A comparison of three animal welfare assessment programs on Canadian swine farms
Tina Widowski, University of Guelph and Penny Lawliss, OMAFRA
Status: Completed in 2013.