| Texto completo | |
| Autor(es): |
Alves, Laya Kannan Silva
;
Raineri, Camila
;
Pairis-Garcia, Monique Danielle
;
Garbossa, Cesar Augusto Pospissil
Número total de Autores: 4
|
| Tipo de documento: | Artigo Científico |
| Fonte: | LIVESTOCK SCIENCE; v. 303, p. 8-pg., 2026-01-01. |
| Resumo | |
The use of gestation crates in pig production has been increasingly questioned due to their restrictive nature and the growing demand for improved animal welfare. In response, various countries have implemented group housing and space allowance regulations, yet the economic impacts of transitioning to these systems remain underexplored, despite being crucial for producer adoption and long-term sustainability. The objective of this study was to evaluate the economic implications of transitioning to welfare-compliant housing systems for gestating sows, with particular attention to increased space allowance required in group housing. Specifically, we compared three housing systems: conventional stalls, group housing fully implemented after breeding (AB-GH), and group housing with limited stall use until pregnancy confirmation (PPC-GH), in terms of production costs and profitability. The study combined farm data, benchmark information, and expert opinions with a deterministic cost model to calculate key economic indicators and conduct sensitivity analyses in four stages: selection and characterization of farms using each housing system, collection of productive and economic data, application of a cost model to calculate key economic indicators, and a sensitivity analysis simulating incremental improvements in reproductive performance. Results showed that while the conventional stall system had the lowest production costs and highest economic profit under baseline conditions, both PPC-GH and AB-GH systems maintained profitability, with returns on investment exceeding 55 %. Cost increases in group housing systems were mainly attributed to infrastructure, maintenance, and opportunity costs related to expanded space allowance. Sensitivity analysis demonstrated that modest improvements in reproductive efficiency-such as a 1 % increase in the number of weaned piglets per sow per year-significantly enhanced economic outcomes in both group housing systems, increasing economic profit by 1.64 % in the AB-GH system and 1.63 % in the PPC-GH system. In conclusion, the study confirms that compliance with animal welfare regulations through the adoption of group housing systems can be economically viable. When coupled with improvements in management and productivity, these systems offer a sustainable path for swine producers aligning with welfare standards and maintaining competitiveness in the global market. (AU) | |
| Processo FAPESP: | 21/08217-5 - Garantir a eutanásia adequada nos sistemas de produção de suínos |
| Beneficiário: | Laya Kannan Silva Alves |
| Modalidade de apoio: | Bolsas no Brasil - Doutorado |
| Processo FAPESP: | 23/07961-8 - Implicações econômicas das legislações acerca do bem-estar de suínos: um estudo da Intrução Normativa No. 113 no Brasil e Proposition 12 nos Estados Unidos |
| Beneficiário: | Laya Kannan Silva Alves |
| Modalidade de apoio: | Bolsas no Exterior - Estágio de Pesquisa - Doutorado |