PIG PRODUCTION 2
Production in every capacity requires high levels of innovation to enhance efficiency and
at the same time lower the cost of the commodity and the cost of production. The recent innovation
in the production of pigs by Premium Standard Farms of Princeton whereby they have used
standardized product focused process has brought various improvements in the production of the
pigs. However, this innovation has raised a lot of concerns from the Animal welfare advocates and
the public at large. (Sapir-Hen at el, 2013)
This pig production innovation has dramatically increased pig production in the pig farms.
This process limits the movement of the pigs and at the same time ensuring continuous production
of pigs. The sows wait for two weeks after delivery, and they are then taken back to the breeding
room where they have impregnated again for production. This ensures fast and continuous
production of pigs within a short period. As a result of increased production, the price of pork has
greatly reduced. (Thu at el, 2012)
However, this production has two ethical considerations. Animal-welfare advocates
identify that this method drives the pigs crazy. This behavior is morally not right for it subjects the
pigs to production practices that are not morally right. Subjecting a sow to another impregnation
just two weeks after delivery is morally wrong. This denies the pig the time to recover from the
delivery as well as to raise its piglets for quite some time. The piglets do not suck their mother’s
milk for the normal time recommended for three months. Hence they grow very slowly. Also,
confining a sow to a cage that it cannot move freely is morally wrong. This denies the pig the
freedom to move from one place to another. (Majewski at el, 2007)
Premium standard, on the other hand, argues that the pigs are comfortable. This is out of
the fact that only 1% of the pigs die before their stipulated time. The fact that the pigs can
