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ANIMAL CARE

Prioritizing animal welfare fosters a positive public image, market competitiveness, and a brighter future for both pigs and the pork industry. By enhancing animal well-being, we ensure ethical practices, consumer trust, and sustainable production.

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View animal care projects supported by Swine Innovation Porc since 2010 in the factsheets below. 

Sows & Gilts

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: Completed in 2023.

FACT SHEET

National sow housing conversion project

Jennifer Brown, Prairie Swine Centre

Status: Completed in 2018.

FACT SHEET

Optimizing flooring and social management of group housed gestating sows

Laurie Connor, University of Manitoba

Status: Completed in 2018.

FACT SHEET

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.

FACT SHEET
Transport

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.

FACT SHEET

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.

FACT SHEET

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.

FACT SHEET
Euthanasia

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.

FACT SHEET
Piglets

PIGLETS

Assessing the impact of weaning management practices, handling and transport of weanling piglets at different ages

Luiene Moura Rocha, CDPQ

Status: Ongoing. Results expected in 2028.

FACT SHEET

Determining the optimum space allowance for nursery pigs

Jennifer Brown, Prairie Swine Centre

Status: Completed in 2018.

FACT SHEET

OTHER

A pilot study to establish a gene panel for the identification of low-stress pigs

Ray Lu, University of Guelph

Status: Completed in 2018.

FACT SHEET

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.

FACT SHEET

Evaluation and development of standards for swine production systems

Lee Whittington and Bernardo Predicala, Prairie Swine Centre

Status: Completed in 2013.

FACT SHEET
Welfare Assessment
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