Australia’s SunPork launches maternity rings for sows
Where the whole of Europe is trying to redesign farrowing pens to combine liberty for sows with no crushing, Australia’s SunPork Group introduced a different type of solution: maternity rings. The idea was properly researched before its launch.
On its website, the SunPork Group describes the patented concept as eliminating “sow confinement while protecting her piglets”, using a surface area of 4.3m², which wouldn’t be any different than a farrowing crate system. Also in terms of costs, the new technology, consisting of an elevated oval-shaped hoop, is not any different, SunPork said, adding on its website: “A solution which maintains space allowances and farrowing performance whilst also protecting the welfare of the sow, her piglets and our animal carers.”
Various Australian researchers attached to SunPork recently detailed the concept in Frontiers in Veterinary Science. In the publication, they wrote: “The maternity ring was developed as a free farrowing alternative to crates that preserved space whilst providing the sow with unrestricted movement.”
They added: “There are 2 periods when the confinement of a sow within a farrowing crate would impact welfare: prior to farrowing when the sow has an intrinsic need to build a nest, and as lactation progresses when the sow begins to wean her litter.”
SunPork has been considering the development of a new system since 2015. The team used the ‘Five Domains framework’ to figure out how the sows performed in pens with maternity rings in comparison to farrowing crates. In that framework, researchers look at outcomes in the field of nutrition, environment, health, behaviour and mental state. Using this method, the team concluded: “Sows housed in the maternity ring system during farrowing and lactation have improved welfare than those in farrowing crates and can be thought of as being in a positive affective state.”
The trial was performed in a breeder unit with experimental sows mated in July and September 2021, which farrowed in November and January. In total, 171 sows were used in the trial, of which 88 were kept in farrowing crates and 83 in the maternity ring system. Worth noting is the size of both systems, maternity ring pens measured 1.80 m by 2.35 m, whilst the farrowing crate pens were virtually identical in size: 1.78 m by 2.33 m. That means that the previous measure of 4.3m² floor size is maintained.
Nutrition
Sows kept in a maternity ring system consumed less feed than sows kept in farrowing crates (on average 93.8 kg vs 111.2 kg), the researchers concluded, yet the P2 backfat losses also were reduced during lactation. For reasons of straightforward and clear communication, the p-values as well as error margin have been left out in this article – the full set of scientific data can be accessed in the scientific publication.
In terms of frustrated and pain-related behaviours, the team observed fewer of those in sows kept in maternity rings. The team looked at bar biting for instance. In addition, a decreased proportion of sows in the maternity rings had facial injuries after farrowing (10% vs 67%).
Udder damage for sows
Another thing the researchers zoomed in on was udder damage at weaning. That occurred more with sows kept in farrowing crates (70% vs 10%), and in those systems, piglets were medicated more frequently.
Sows kept in maternity rings tended to have a higher reaction score to piglet processing like castration or tail docking, and the sows were observed to have more contact with piglets once the procedure was completed. Whilst there was no difference in anticipation of a feeding event, the scientists wrote that sows kept in maternity rings displayed a reduced startle response to an aversive noise stimulus at day 18.
Collaboration for manufacturing
For the manufacturing and distribution of the maternity rings, SunPork is collaborating with Stockyard Industries, which is based in Queensland. SunPork is happy to share the innovation with others in the industry. The University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy piggery, operated by SunPork, will serve as a training hub for the new system.
Speaking to ABC Australia, one of the researchers, Dr David Lines, said the technology had been installed at 9 of its farrowing houses. “When those are done that’ll take us to well over a thousand maternity rings within Sun Pork,” he said.
Acclaim in Australia for maternity rings
The development has received considerable amounts of acclaim within Australia. The Australian division of animal welfare organisation RSPCA has expressed its support for the rings, using words like “breakthrough” and “game-changer”. In addition, SunPork is planning to soon introduce 100% crate-free pork due to a partnership with retailer Woolworths.
Industry body Australian Pork also welcomed the innovation. Its CEO, Margo Andrae, told ABC Australia: “Having RSPCA at the table and involved in our research demonstrates that we do take animal care very seriously and we take community feedback very seriously. My hope is that the general community and Australians every day actually recognise that we go above and beyond for our animals and our people.”
Whether or not the idea will get great acclaim in the EU remains to be seen. In a scientific opinion from August 2022, a minimum space to sows was suggested of 6.6m², with a pen size of 7.8m². The maternity rings as proposed in this research have a surface of 4.3m².
The article in Frontiers in Veterinary Science was authored by Kate Plush, David Lines, Lauren Staveley, Darryl D’Souza, and Robert van Barneveld, SunPork Group.
