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Page 12 %u2013 Australian Pork Newspaper, February 2025 www.porknews.com.auwe have reported this to provide context for the behavioural assessments. The aim of this investigation was to use the Five Domains model to assess the welfare of sows in a novel free farrowing design %u2013 maternity ring %u2013 that preserves current sow space requirements in comparison to those housed in a farrowing crate. Yes, PWM is an issue but becoming less so as we learn to manage these free farrowing systems. Since conducting this work in 2021, we have made substantial performance improvements and now MR wean exactly the same number of piglets as farrowing crates. A short list of these improvements includes the actual design of the MR, people and sow experience with the system, health status of the herd, the way sows are fed and a redesign of farrowing house procedures. The scientific paper reporting the performance traits of the MR compared to a farrowing crate will be submitted in 2025. The design of this experiment does contain sufficient sample size for statistical comparison, unlike our first paper that was designed for sow welfare assessment.To the ninth point: Is it correct that piglet mortality was not recorded in the study?Correct.To the tenth point: I understand there are a number of further research projects underway to see if the results of this study are repeated %u2013 I thank you in advance for sharing the results.It would be great to have access to the results of previous studies too, particularly the piglet mortality figures of these.I hope others read the study too %u2013 it is interesting and quite different to what was reported on Landline.I do not think the study supports the conclusion that %u201csows housed in the maternity ring experience higher animal welfare standards than those housed in farrowing crates%u201d %u2013 as per page 13 of the research document.The results clearly support the conclusions. We would argue that your statement reflects your opinion rather than being based on any scientific evidence. To the eleventh point: Further, the measures of sow welfare that the study states were different between the systems are not currently problems in sow crates, so I am not sure that the study can reasonably conclude that there were any significant improvements in sow welfare.However, it does seem that more piglets died in the maternity ring crates.The conclusion states that the %u201cResults indicated that sows housed in the MR had improved lactation efficiency, more ability to observe and interact with the environment both within and outside the pen, displayed reduced injuries, performed more species-specific behaviours such as nesting and piglet bonding, and exhibited an improved response to a startling test. This all contributes to a substantial improvement in sow welfare, indicating a more positive affect when compared to sows in farrowing crates.%u201dGiven these data, we question the logic to dispute the conclusions.To the twelfth point: Again, I thank SunPork for sharing the work, but it would be misleading to use this study as a basis for any welfare claims or change in specifications.And to call it %u201ccage free%u201d suggests the rest of us keep our pigs in cages, which would be very insulting and should not be supported.Theoretically the farrowing crate is a cage %u2013 by definition, %u201ca box or enclosure having some openwork for confining or carrying animals.%u201d Caged is the term being used to describe farrowing crates, whether we find this insulting or not, and we have no control over this. SunPork refers to the maternity ring farrowing system as %u2018close confinement free%u2019, not cage free. Dr Darryl D%u2019SouzaSunPork Group EGM Technical Services0421 622 900darryl.dsouza@sunporkfarms.com.aufor living farm building surfaces A specific blend of highly concentrated live bacteria Helps install a positive biofilm on farm building surfaces after cleaning and disinfectionHelps improve the microbial environment for safe animal production Helps reduce the risk of health issues due to the harmful microorganisms and negative biofilms.POSITIVE BIOFILMPartnering in microbial solutions for a changing world.Using sound science, proven results and knowledge from experience, Lallemand Animal Nutrition helps our customers and industry partners be more successful %u2013 and animals lead healthier lives.Lallemand Animal Nutrition provides a full range of specific, natural microbial products, services and solutions that improve animal wellbeing and performance while respecting animals, people and the environment.Not all products are available in all markets nor associated claims allowed in all regions.Contact us on (07) 5451 0125 | LAN-Aus@lallemand.comLetter to the Editor* from P11