Overview
RFP: Animal Well-Being – Housing
The National Pork Board’s (NPB) Sow Housing Task Force is seeking proposals for research focused on sow breeding and gestation housing. This initiative responds to reports from producers requesting to shorten the learning curve when transitioning to gestation housing systems that ensure a minimum floor space of 24 square feet per sow in order to best maintain productivity and animal welfare.
The proposed research aims to identify and understand the causes of any adverse effects and develop practical solutions to enhance animal welfare and worker safety. Preventing these issues is crucial for improving industry practices and outcomes.
This research endeavor supports the NPB’s overarching goal of building trust within the swine industry. It underscores several of the We Care ethical principles, particularly those related to Our People and Animal Well-Being. Through targeted research and industry solutions, the NPB aims to reinforce its commitment to ethical and sustainable practices in pork production.
What Valuable Research Question Does this RFP Address?
This RFP seeks research proposals focused on optimizing housing and management strategies associated with open pen breeding and gestation systems. The goal is to develop practical solutions that enhance both animal welfare and worker safety, while maximizing production efficiency.
The NPB’s Animal Welfare Advisory Group, comprised of producers, veterinarians, and subject matter experts, has identified this optimization as the top priority area for animal welfare research in 2024. Building on this recommendation, the NPB’s Sow Housing Task Force has outlined the following research priorities for 24-square-foot open pen breeding and gestation housing systems:
Research Priorities
- Hybrid/Flex Models Approaching Proposition 12 Criteria: Investigate the feasibility and benefits of hybrid or flexible housing models that meet or exceed Proposition 12 criteria, with a focus on enhancing animal welfare while maintaining production efficiency. These hybrid or flex models, while meeting the criteria set forth by Proposition 12, also possess the versatility to accommodate conventional breeding and gestation housing practices.
- Post-Weaning Mixing Strategies: Explore optimal strategies for mixing and remixing sow post-weaning, including the management of multiple parities within groups. This includes assessing group size and various feeding strategies and flooring options, such as the use of partially slatted floors, to improve welfare and productivity in compliant housing systems.
- Late Gestation Aggression: Identify the causes and develop mitigation strategies for aggression during late gestation, aiming to improve sow welfare and reduce injury and stress.
- Optimization of Space Utilization: Develop guidelines for the optimal use of space in different housing systems and barn designs. This research will help maximize animal comfort and welfare while ensuring efficient use of available space.
- Optimization of Group Size for Welfare and Worker Safety: Determine the ideal group sizes that balance animal welfare needs with worker safety and operational efficiency. This research will consider the dynamics of sow interactions and the practical implications for farm staff.
- Ideal Setup for Compliant Barns: Using insights from successful implementations both internationally and the US, define the best practices for setting up compliant barns that meet welfare standards while maintaining productivity.
- Hospitalization Strategies: Develop effective strategies for the hospitalization and care of sows needing medical attention, with an emphasis on improving recovery outcomes and overall welfare.
- Gilt Development and Genetic Determination for Aggression: Investigate the genetic factors influencing gilt development and aggression. This research aims to identify traits that can be selected for breeding to enhance welfare and reduce aggressive behaviors associated with open pen housing, while maintaining productivity.
- Caretaker Training Opportunities: Develop comprehensive training programs for caretakers, focusing on best practices in animal handling, welfare assessment, and management within compliant housing systems.
- Financial Cost of Compliance: Analyze the financial implications of compliance with new housing standards, including costs associated with mortality, culling, and increased medical interventions. This research will help producers understand the economic impact of compliance and identify cost-effective solutions.
These research priorities aim to address critical challenges in sow housing and production, with the ultimate goal of enhancing animal welfare, improving worker safety, and ensuring the economic sustainability of the pork industry.
Criteria for Approval
Proposals must directly address the research priorities as outlined above. Submitters should clearly describe their project scope including but not limited to the study types to be included in their assessments. Submitters must submit proposals that are well-written with a defined budget and robust study design that clearly addresses the research priorities.
Due Date
Research proposals for this RFP are due August 9, 2024.
Evaluation
Individual projects contained within the proposal must meet the same standards of scientific rigor and statistical validity as typical National Pork Board research grants. Poorly written proposals that fail to demonstrate how researchers will address research priorities will not be considered.
A research review committee comprised of pork producers and subject matter experts will evaluate each proposal for its approach to desired outcomes, application to and impact on the pork production industry.
Funding Amount
There is $400,000 available for this RFP. Budgets for submitted proposals should not exceed this amount.
Applicants should not interpret the maximum allowable amount as a suggestion to expand their anticipated budget to this level. Reasonable budgets necessary to achieve desired outcomes are in favor of the applicant.
Budgets not commensurate with proposed work or poorly justified will likely negatively impact the evaluation of the proposal. Indirect costs are not allowed; however, it is allowable to request salary and fringe benefit support. Preference will be given to proposals that seek additional funding.
Proposal Format Requirements
Submissions for this RFP should follow the National Pork Board’s standard instructions and format and requirements. Please ensure your proposal format includes all required information, specifically under the budget section.
Questions?
For questions, please contact:
Stephanie Wetter, MS PAS
Director, Animal Welfare
National Pork Board
