Pig Livability Project Secured New Funding
The initiative received over $1.6 million to reduce mortality rates and improve profitability for pork producers.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Agriculture
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Industry stakeholders and the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research have invested $1,643,357 into the Pig Livability Project. The project also announced $250,000 in support for seven new research studies.
Why it matters
The project aims to lower pig mortality rates to improve animal welfare and boost producer profitability. A 1 percent improvement in survival is estimated to produce 1.2 million more pigs annually, potentially reducing the need for 46,000 breeding sows.
The investment includes $750,000 from the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research and $893,357 from industry stakeholders. This follows a previous trial at a 4,800-sow farm that achieved a 4.9 percent reduction in mortality.
The players
Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research
This nonprofit organization builds public-private partnerships to fund scientific research addressing food and agriculture challenges.
Iowa State University
A major public research university that maintains extensive agricultural science and veterinary medicine programs.
Kansas State University
A prominent institution known for its agricultural research and leadership in animal health and production studies.
The details
Researchers at Iowa State University and Kansas State University lead the initiative, which combines education, data analysis, and competitive research. The team uses farm-specific metrics to calculate the financial benefits of reducing mortality and improving pig survival.
Timeline
The initial research and funding phase ran from 2019 to 2024.
The new project funding was announced on October 5, 2026.
Market Landscape
This investment marks a continuation and expansion of the 2019-2024 Pig Livability Project funding cycle by scaling up research efforts to improve national herd survival rates. The project positions the industry to optimize production efficiency while navigating shifting animal welfare standards.
Improved survival rates for pigs could lead to more efficient pork production and long-term stability in meat supply chains for consumers. Producers may see direct financial benefits as the research provides methods to lower the costs associated with animal mortality.
The takeaway
Advancements in livestock survival technology demonstrate how data-driven farm management can enhance profitability and animal welfare simultaneously. These research efforts provide producers with actionable strategies to increase output without needing to expand the size of their breeding herds.
Further reading
For more on the latest research in the sector, visit the Agriculture section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Feedstuffs.
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