NCERA_temp219: Swine Production Management to Enhance Animal Welfare
(Multistate Research Coordinating Committee and Information Exchange Group)
Status: Draft Project
NCERA_temp219: Swine Production Management to Enhance Animal Welfare
Duration: 10/01/2026 to 09/30/2031
Administrative Advisor(s):
NIFA Reps:
Non-Technical Summary
Statement of Issues and Justification
The U.S. swine industry faces growing challenges related to labor shortages, herd health, production efficiency, and the integration of emerging digital technologies. Precision livestock technologies such as sensors, automated monitoring systems, and advanced data analytics present new opportunities to improve animal management and producer decision-making. However, broad adoption and meaningful application of these technologies require coordinated, multi-institutional research to ensure validity, consistency, and practical relevance across diverse production systems. Without such coordination, progress in technology development and implementation will remain fragmented and less impactful.
This multistate effort will leverage the complementary expertise of participating institutions to address national and regional priorities in animal agriculture by enhancing productivity, improving herd health and welfare, and advancing data-driven management practices. Through collaborative applied research, Extension efforts, and outreach education, the project will generate validated information, management tools, and outreach materials to support evidence-based decisions that improve animal performance and farm profitability.
Primary stakeholders and beneficiaries include independent and integrated swine producers, veterinarians, Extension educators, and allied industry professionals. Additional users of project outcomes include technology developers, data management specialists, and policymakers seeking science-based guidance on precision livestock applications. Collectively, this coordinated multistate effort will strengthen the competitiveness and long-term viability of the U.S. pork industry through innovation, collaboration, and the delivery of practical, research-based solutions.
Objectives
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Conduct applied production research using precision livestock technologies, sensors, and data analytics to enhance producer decision-making and improve animal performance, efficiency and profitability of swine systems.
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Refine management practices through collaborative research that positively influence swine health, livability, and welfare to improve overall herd well-being and farm productivity.
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Develop and deliver educational materials and extension programs for swine producers and allied industry professionals focused on farm data management, privacy and security.
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Develop, extend, and promote diverse educational resources of scientifically validated management practices to improve pig performance and swine production efficiency through multiple delivery platforms.
Procedures and Activities
Expected Outcomes and Impacts
- Coordinated multi-institutional research will validate applications of precision technologies that improve decision-making and production efficiency while fostering collaborative funding opportunities.
- Applied systems research produces evidence-based management recommendations to reduce pig mortality, enhance animal wellbeing, and improve herd health and productivity, leading to increased profitability and stronger partnerships between university researchers, veterinary professionals, and industry stakeholders.
- Educational and extension initiatives will increase producer competency in secure data management, thereby promoting responsible digital innovations within the pork industry.
- Educational materials, including manuscripts, factsheets, webinars, and electronic resources, will be developed and disseminated to diverse audiences such as independent and integrated pork producers, farm owners and workers, veterinarians, and allied industry professionals. Modern communication technologies, webpages, and virtual platforms, along with traditional workshops and small-group meetings, will be used to reach national and regional stakeholders as needed.