A group of piglets in a pen.
RESEARCH PROJECT

Ask the pig

Updated: November 2025

Project overview

Project start: January 2021 Ending: December 2022
Project manager: Anna Wallenbeck
Funded by: Formas

More related research

Short summary

Improved welfare in Swedish pig production through benchmarking. Development of a tool for advisors, certification and improved competitiveness.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could ask pigs how they feel about their situation?

This project is carried out in close collaboration between the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and the Swedish farm advisory company Gård & Djurhälsan. The aim of this project is to improve pig welfare and farmer competitiveness in Swedish pig production through development of a pig welfare benchmarking tool that is feasible in practice in advisory, certification and procurement work.

Objectives 

Specific objectives are to:

  • Develop a benchmarking tool for animal welfare adapted for the unique circumstances in Swedish pig production.
  • Test and validate the benchmarking tool on commercial pig farms in Sweden and evaluate the outcomes with pig farmers, veterinarians, certification organisations and industry.

Projektgrupp

Anna Wallenbeck, project manager
Rebecka Westin
Linda Marie Hannius
Helena Carlzén, Gård & Djurhälsan

Publications:

Elvira, Chivers Palmqvist. 2023. Sårskador hos grupphållna gyltor och suggor. Examensarbete.
Karlsson, Isabella, 2023. Positiva välfärdsindikatorer för grisar. Examensarbete.
Brindberg, Emelie, 2022. Fråga grisen: Djurvälfärdsprotokoll som rådgivningsverktyg i grisproduktion – en pilotstudie. Examensarbete. Biologiska Yrkeshögskolan, Skara, 
Presentation av examensarbete "Fråga grisen: Djurvälfärdsprotokoll som rådgivningsverktyg i grisproduktion – en pilotstudie" av Emelie Brindbergs, Biologiska Yrkeshögskolan, Skara, 2022.
Har suggorna vuxit ur sina grisningsboxar? Artikel i SLU:s kunskapsbank.

 

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