SunPork launches 'maternity rings' to eliminate farrowing crates

Australian pork producer SunPork has launched a new patented ‘maternity ring’ to achieve stall-free and farrowing crate-free pork production.

The launch follows extensive research and development to deliver a commercially viable solution to improve sow welfare during the period in which sows nurse their piglets, known as farrowing.

The ring is a single suspended oval-shaped hoop which allows sows a greater freedom of movement to support natural nesting behaviour and socialising between sows, while limiting the potential for rolling, which can risk injuring piglets.

The company intends to gradually transition its entire operations to be 100% crate- and stall-free through the introduction of the ring, its current work to remove mating stalls, and its previous removal of all gestation stalls.

SunPork is Woolworths’ largest pork supplier by volume, and strategic partnership between both the companies will see SunPork’s entire supply to the retailer transition to crate-, cage- and stall-free in the years ahead.

Dr Robert van Barneveld, CEO of SunPork Group, said, “We set the team a formidable task 10 years ago to find a commercially viable alternative to farrowing crates that not only eliminated the need for any confinement during farrowing and lactation, but demonstrably improved the welfare of the sow while safeguarding her piglets. I am so proud of what our team has achieved.

“By adopting this proactive innovation, the Australian pork industry can lead the world in pig welfare — noting this is one of very few solutions for elimination of close confinement that benefits the sow, the piglet, the pork producer and the consumer simultaneously.”

Anna Speer, Managing Director of Woolworths Group’s red meat business, Greenstock, said, “This is an exciting industry-led advancement, which demonstrates pork producers’ commitment to animal welfare, and we commend SunPork on leading this breakthrough.

“We’re thrilled to see SunPork bring this innovation to market, and we’d love to see similar solutions used more broadly across the industry in future to improve the lives of all pigs.”

To ensure commercial viability, key criteria for the development of the maternity ring included maintaining the current farrowing footprint, ensuring the safety of employees and achieving a transition cost equal to the replacement cost of current farrowing crates to deliver a compelling solution for all of the industry.

Scientific research on the project has been published in the Frontiers in Veterinary Science journal.

The paper identified key benefits of the maternity ring, including: greater range of movement available to sows; improved physical condition of sows; higher lactation efficiency of sows; reduction in stress-related behaviours in sows; lower conflict between piglets; patterns of feeding aligned more closely with weaning in the wild; improved piglet weight; lower use of medication for piglets; and more interaction and bonding between sow and piglets.

Considering the science-based welfare benefits delivered by Sunpork’s maternity ring, RSPCA Australia has expressed its support for the technology to replace farrowing crates.

SunPork unveiled the maternity ring and the scientific data behind it at a meeting of Australian Pork Limited Delegates.

The company is sharing the blueprint and evidence for the maternity rings with the broader pork industry to support improved sow welfare across Australia.

“People may be surprised to hear that we’re sharing this design and our know-how with our peers and competitors, but we believe we have an obligation to make this pathway to close-confinement-free pork available to the entire industry. For us, animal welfare is a collective pursuit, not a marketing tool. Now that we have found an alternative, the industry needs adequate time to consider the options and if they choose to change, then adopt the new alternative,” Van Barneveld said.

SunPork has engaged Stockyard Industries in Queensland to manufacture and sell the maternity rings to other pork producers. It intends to support training and development for those interested in implementing the technology, including through the University of Adelaide Roseworthy piggery, which is operated by SunPork.

Image credit: iStock.com/Ross Tomei