The NSERC Industrial Research Chair in Swine Welfare is a five-year research program based at the University of Saskatchewan focusing on emerging questions in swine welfare. Led by Dr. Yolande Seddon and developed in collaboration with 14 industry partners representing Canadian producers, processors and swine genetics, the Chair program will deliver knowledge and increased resources in swine welfare to position the industry to respond to evolving farming practices: increasing production efficiency while meeting social responsibility. The Chair program has four overarching research goals, each focusing on an area critical to advancing our understanding of swine welfare.
Goal 1: Early life management of piglets on lifetime welfare and performance
Goal 2: Play behaviour and its role to enhance pig welfare and production
Goal 3: Biomarkers of pig welfare: Measuring and monitoring – to understand and improve
Goal 4: Pig welfare assessment at meat inspection: Can carcasses assessment inform about animal welfare at different stages of the value chain?
The creation of the NSERC IRC in Swine Welfare research program represents a commitment by the Canadian swine industry to advance the care of farmed swine. The application of the knowledge output will position the Canadian swine industry as a leader in progressive, welfare-based management practices that also improve product quality.
Forward facing animal welfare research drives innovation (full article)
