Pigs and pasture: Drivers and characteristics of outdoor systems on the island of Ireland

Abstract

Outdoor systems offer benefits to pig welfare but they also pose challenges and are less well researched than indoor. This study characterized, for the first time, current husbandry and management practices of outdoor pig production on the island of Ireland, in order to understand associated drivers, challenges and changes needed for sustainable development. An online survey conducted from December 2022 to April 2023 (n = 90 respondents) revealed that animal welfare, food quality, and traceability concerns were the primary reasons for raising pigs outdoors, regardless of whether the pigs were raised for sale (meat or live pigs) or other (e.g., personal meat consumption, pet, land management) purposes. Most of the respondents expressed concerns about animal welfare in conventional systems, and emphasized the importance of the “Five Freedoms”. A significant cohort of respondents (56%) adopted alternative health management strategies based on season and soil management (paddock rotation, use of straw bedding on muddy areas), and by avoiding the use of antibiotics and other chemicals. Farms were small (median: 20.5 pigs, 1.02 ha), half were engaged with pig societies, and used traditional/rare breeds, which are adapted to outdoor conditions and that farmers can sell as superior quality pigmeat. The most frequently reported challenges were feed costs, inclement weather, fencing and soil maintenance. The most mentioned “needs” of the industry were financial support and consumer education. While participants chose to raise pigs outdoors to improve animal welfare, meat quality and traceability; overcoming challenges related to finance, infrastructure, and education is vital to their future sustainability.