Improving Pig Survivability: A Collaborative Effort Between Academia and Industry

A collaborative project involving Iowa State University, Kansas State University, and industry partners is making significant strides in improving pig survivability across the United States. This initiative addresses a critical challenge facing the pork industry – reducing mortality rates and enhancing the overall health and productivity of swine.

The Pig Livability Project: A Multidisciplinary Approach

The project, fueled by a $3.2 million investment, brings together 19 professors and researchers from Iowa State and Kansas State Universities, alongside 18 representatives from pork companies and producer organizations [piglivability.org]. The core objectives are to reduce sow mortality, increase survival rates before and after weaning, and improve the overall quality of pigs from birth to slaughter.

This collaborative effort extends beyond research, encompassing extensive knowledge dissemination. To date, the project has produced 66 podcasts, 28 publications available in Spanish, and 29 short videos explaining the initiative and its key strategies [piglivability.org]. The project is actively training the next generation of swine professionals, having graduated 27 students with more than 60 currently enrolled.

Second International Conference on Pig Livability

Building on the success of the first conference in 2021, which attracted 447 participants, the second International Conference on Pig Livability will be held November 5-6 in Omaha, Nebraska. The conference will feature 33 presentations from international leaders, focusing on practices to reduce mortality in areas such as management, genetics, biosecurity, health, nutrition, worker training, and economic implications. Open discussion groups will facilitate knowledge sharing, and collaboration.

Key Research Areas and Practical Approaches

Research efforts are focused on several key areas:

• Reducing Sow Mortality: Identifying at-risk sows is a priority. Studies indicate a heritability of 22-35% for pelvic prolapses.
• Improving Piglet Survival Post-Weaning: Research suggests that using early starter feed reduces mortality and improves the performance of lagging piglets, particularly when delivered in larger, cube-shaped granules. Providing feed on floor platforms alongside traditional hoppers (mat feeding) also shows promise.
• Optimizing Colostrum Intake: Studies examining separate breastfeeding strategies display varying results, highlighting the importance of ensuring all piglets, regardless of weight, receive adequate colostrum.
• Nutritional Factors: Research continues on the impact of bone mineralization and nutritional levels of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D on reducing mortality due to locomotor disorders.
• Economic Impact Analysis: A program has been developed to analyze the economic impact of mortality at each stage of production.

Industry Insights: Country View Family Farms

Country View Family Farms, a Pennsylvania-based company with a history dating back to 1923, provides a real-world perspective on the challenges of sow mortality. Currently operating with 450 members, 115,000 owned sows, and 350 independent livestock farms across seven states, the company processes approximately 3.1 million pigs annually.

Sow mortality at Country View Family Farms has risen from 9% in 2014 to 15.8% in 2023, attributed to new housing standards, increased prolificacy, and the robustness of sows. The company emphasizes the complexity of the issue and has developed a comprehensive checklist of potential intervention points.

Key findings at Country View Family Farms include:

• Specialized Sow Care: A lack of specialists dedicated to sow health and early detection of issues is a significant concern. Dedicated staff spend an average of only 1.1 hours per day per 1,000 sows.
• Identifying At-Risk Sows: Focusing on identifying abnormal behaviors, such as aggression or dominance issues (“bully sows”), is crucial.
• Floor Quality: Slat, plastic, and slippery floors are more problematic than compact surfaces and contribute to locomotor issues.
• Functional Teats: Identifying the number of functional teats in each sow is an important factor in productivity.

Reducing sow mortality by 5% would result in saving 5,700 sows per year and a profit increase of $2.2 million for Country View Family Farms.

The Role of Nutrition and Genetic Selection

Research highlights the critical role of nutrition and genetic selection in improving sow livability:

• Body Condition: Maintaining optimal body condition during gestation is essential for producing vital piglets with adequate colostrum and milk.
• Genetic Selection: The number of functional teats is a key trait in genetic selection.
• Staff Training: Training staff on proper sow observation can reduce mortality rates by 1-3 percentage points.
• Antioxidant Supplementation: Supplementation with vitamins E and C may reduce sow mortality by 2-3 points.
• Anemia: Sows with hemoglobin levels below 10 g/dL experience prolonged farrowing times and increased mortality. Iron levels are lower in sows suffering from prolapses.
• Robustness: Genetic progress has sometimes led to a degradation in sow robustness, increasing metabolic and nutrient demands.

Looking Ahead

The Pig Livability Project represents a significant investment in the future of the U.S. Swine industry. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry, and by focusing on research-driven solutions, this initiative is poised to make a lasting impact on pig survivability, profitability, and sustainability.