World-First Technology Eliminates Farrowing Crates for Improved Animal Welfare.
SunPork, one of Australia’s largest pork producers, has revealed a major animal welfare breakthrough with the launch of its patented ‘maternity ring’ technology, a revolutionary alternative to farrowing crates. This innovation, ten years in the making, is set to eliminate farrowing crates and improve the welfare of sows during farrowing, while still protecting piglets.
Farrowing crates have been the industry standard for minimizing piglet mortality during nursing. However, they limit the sow’s movement, which has long been a welfare concern. With the new maternity rings, SunPork has achieved a balance that improves sow welfare while protecting piglets from the risk of injury.
A New Standard for Farrowing: The Maternity Ring
The maternity ring is an oval-shaped, suspended hoop that provides sows with more freedom of movement compared to traditional farrowing crates. It allows for natural behaviors such as nesting and socializing between sows, while also reducing the risk of the sow rolling onto her piglets.
By introducing the maternity ring, SunPork plans to gradually transition its operations to be entirely crate-, cage-, and stall-free. This move comes alongside the company’s ongoing efforts to phase out mating stalls and previous success in eliminating gestation stalls.
Dr. Robert van Barneveld, CEO of SunPork Group, reflected on the significance of the new system: “We set the team a formidable challenge ten years ago—to develop a commercially viable alternative to farrowing crates that eliminates confinement during farrowing and lactation while safeguarding both the sow and her piglets. I am incredibly proud of what the team has achieved, and I believe this technology will position the Australian pork industry as a global leader in animal welfare.”
Strategic Partnership with Woolworths
SunPork’s innovation will soon reach consumers through a strategic partnership with Woolworths, Australia’s leading supermarket chain. The partnership will introduce the country’s first 100% crate-free pork on supermarket shelves this month, with plans to transition SunPork’s entire supply to crate-, cage-, and stall-free production in the coming years.
Anna Speer, Managing Director of Woolworths Group’s red meat business, Greenstock, emphasized the importance of this development for consumers: “Animal welfare is not only a crucial aspect of our business, but it’s also something our customers expect from us. We commend SunPork on this breakthrough and are thrilled to bring this innovation to market. We hope this will inspire broader adoption across the industry.”
Scientific Validation and Support from RSPCA
SunPork’s maternity ring technology is not only a commercial success but also backed by scientific research. In August 2024, peer-reviewed data published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science demonstrated the welfare benefits of the maternity ring compared to traditional farrowing crates. These benefits include:
- Increased movement and comfort for sows.
- Improved physical health and lactation efficiency of sows.
- Reduced stress behaviors in sows.
- Better piglet outcomes, such as improved growth and reduced need for medication.
- More natural feeding patterns and stronger bonding between sows and piglets.
As a result of these welfare improvements, RSPCA Australia has expressed its support for the maternity rings, recognizing the technology as a positive step forward in pig welfare.
A Commitment to Industry-Wide Change
In an unprecedented move, SunPork has announced that it will share the blueprint for the maternity rings with the broader pork industry. By making the technology available to other producers, SunPork aims to improve welfare standards across Australia.
“People may be surprised to hear that we’re sharing this technology with our peers and competitors,” said Dr. van Barneveld. “But for us, animal welfare is a collective goal, not just a competitive advantage. Now that we have found an alternative to farrowing crates, we believe the entire industry should have the opportunity to adopt it.”
SunPork is collaborating with Stockyard Industries in Queensland to manufacture and distribute the maternity rings. Additionally, SunPork will provide training and support for producers looking to implement the technology. The University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy piggery, operated by SunPork, will serve as a training hub for the new system.
Commercial Viability and Industry Impact
One of the key goals in developing the maternity ring was to ensure commercial viability for pork producers. SunPork’s design allows producers to maintain their current farrowing footprint, ensuring that transitioning to the new system will be cost-effective. In fact, the cost of adopting the maternity ring technology is comparable to replacing existing farrowing crates, making it a practical solution for the broader industry.
“We believe that this technology benefits everyone—sows, piglets, producers, and consumers,” said Dr. van Barneveld. “It’s a solution that improves welfare without sacrificing commercial performance, making it a compelling option for producers everywhere.”
A New Era for Pork Production
SunPork’s maternity rings mark a new chapter in the history of pork production, where animal welfare and commercial success can go hand in hand. As more producers adopt this technology, the global pork industry stands to benefit from improved welfare standards, increased consumer trust, and a more sustainable approach to pork production.
SunPork’s vision extends beyond their own operations, aiming to drive long-term innovation across the entire pork industry. By partnering with Woolworths and sharing their technology with competitors, SunPork is setting the stage for a future where crate-free, cage-free pork becomes the industry standard.
