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Determining Effective Enrichments For Group Housed Sows

Providing enrichment involves making changes to the environment that are intended to increase the range of normal  Behaviours and improve the biological functioning and well-being of animals. Enrichment in group housing systems has the potential to significantly improve animal welfare by reducing aggression and injuries, stimulating exercise and the expression of species specific behaviours. However, when one enrichment is used continuously, habituation results and the enrichment can become less effective.

Initial behavioural results indicate that regardless of the enrichment treatment provided, sows spent similar amounts of time in enriched areas of the pen. Sows spent more time contacting and near the enrichment when
materials were rotated than constant. Sows in the ROTATE treatment spent the most time within 1 metre of the enrichments on day 10 when straw was provided.

Determining Effective Enrichments for Group Housed Sows (View pdf)

Source : Prairie Swine Centre

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Exploring Precision Data in Swine Production - Dr. Janice Siegford

Video: Exploring Precision Data in Swine Production - Dr. Janice Siegford


In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Janice Siegford from Michigan State University discusses how precision livestock farming data can support pig health, welfare, transparency, and decision making. She explains why data ownership, privacy, consumer perception, and cost sharing must be addressed as technology becomes more common on farms. Listen now on all major platforms.

“Precision livestock farming data can support producers, veterinarians, certifiers, and consumers by enabling improved monitoring, prediction, and decision-making across the entire production system.”

Meet the guest: Dr. Janice Siegford / janice-siegford-24318839 is a Professor and Associate Chair in the Department of Animal Science at Michigan State University. Her expertise in animal welfare, neuroscience, and zoology supports research on pig behavior, stress resilience, and precision livestock farming. Her work explores early weaning, genetics, and stakeholder perspectives on technology adoption to improve pig care, health, and productivity. Learn more from Dr. Janice Siegford on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.