The following is a sponsored advertorial on behalf of Manitoba Pork.
Plenty has changed over the years when it comes to raising pigs — barns have become more efficient, animal care standards have been strengthened — but farmers have remained steadfast in their responsibility to raising animals in the best possible environment.
Pigs today benefit from better individualized care and improved health, and farmers protect their animals from disease by following strict herd health procedures, such as showering before entering barns and routinely cleaning pig pens. Today’s pigs are raised with fewer diseases, resulting in healthier pigs and a safer food supply. Barns provide pigs with shelter and a healthy, comfortable space in which to grow, and are meticulously planned in their development and construction.
“Every detail in the barn is carefully planned and designed to consider what a pig would naturally and instinctually do,” explains Kevin Kurbis, Director of Hog Solutions for AgriHub. “We follow a set of global principles called the 5 Freedoms for Animal Welfare, as well as the national Code of Practice for the Care and Handling of Pigs. These codes of practice influence everything from the layout of the barn, to lighting placement and intensity, to feeder design and the construction materials used.”
Today, over 95% of Canadian pigs are raised in open group pens, including over half of sows in Manitoba. Canada’s hog sector is making progress each day to house even more pigs in open housing thanks to new investments across the sector in infrastructure and barn improvements. Hog farmers are modifying their operations to replace older barns and equipment, upgrading electrical systems, and adopting new technology and animal care practices. Other on-farm enhancements include the use of enrichment.
Providing things like chewable toys, music in the barn, and treats in feed are common enrichment activities that offer an outlet for natural behaviours and provide positive experiences for pigs. Enrichment routines that support play activities enhance the quality of life for pigs in barns, help pigs adapt to new situations better, and recover quickly from illness. It is now a requirement of the Code of Practice that all pigs have access to two forms of enrichment.
“We have a desire, a right, and a responsibility to take proper care of animals,” adds Kurbis. “All the producers I work with share these same goals. We are firm believers that if you let an animal do what they want to do, it’s going to be better for everyone — better for the animal, better for the farmer and a better product for consumers.”
To learn more, visit manitobapork.com/animalcare
