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Changes already underway

Earlier this week Smithfield Foods announced it is asking it’s contract growers to discontinue the use of gestation stalls on their farms.

While it will take time to implement some of the changes to the structures, Smithfield has already begun implementing changes that will hopefully make that eventual transition to group sow housing easier.  “They did have to make some changes to genetics,” she says.  “Some of these sows are mean and nasty and fight a lot.  Some of these genetics don’t work well in group housing.”

Grandin, who is not a fan of the use of gestation stalls says these changes to the pork industry are inevitable.   “I think we have to look at everything we do in ag and ask ourselves ‘Would you want to show it off to your wedding guests from New York?  Or Chicago?  Or LA?’  If you’re squirming, than maybe you need to change it,” she says.

According to Grandin, scientific research indicates two-thirds of the public feels the use of gestation stalls is inhumane.

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