McAuliffe Farms are delighted to announce we’ve been selected as two featured case studies in the first round of the European WelFarmers project, which highlights innovative and practical on-farm solutions to improve animal welfare in pig production.
We have been recognised under two categories for implementing forward-thinking approaches that prioritise both animal welfare and production efficiency:
- Solutions for Loose Housing of Lactating Sows – First in Ireland
Loose Lactation System—the first of its kind in Ireland— designed to balance sow welfare and piglet survival. Sows are moved into the farrowing house five days before farrowing and offered nesting materials such as straw or shredded paper. Once nest-building behaviour is observed, sows are temporarily enclosed in crates during the critical farrowing period and remain enclosed until three days post-farrowing to reduce piglet mortality.
This system has led to a noticeable increase in colostrum production and higher weaning weights, compared to continuous crate use.
- Space Allowance and Flooring for Finishers – Lower Stocking Density
In 2020, we conducted a trial to examine how stocking density impacts finisher pig performance. The trial assessed different space allowances and their effects on average daily gain (ADG) and feed conversion ratio (FCR).
The results reinforced the importance of adequate space for finisher pigs, showing improved performance metrics under lower stocking densities—benefiting both welfare and efficiency. In 2021 we build 4 new rooms on this farm so all pigs could be kept at the lower stocking rate.
The WelFarmers project, supported by the EU, showcases such on-farm innovations to encourage peer-to-peer learning across the sector
These practices reflect our long-standing belief that good welfare and good farming go hand-in-hand
