Improving Pig Livability Project: Research Funding Proposal

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Launched in 2018, the Improving Pig Survivability Project encompasses research, education and Extension efforts to identify factors contributing to swine mortality in commercial production and to develop strategies and information that can be used to reduce mortality and maximize pig survivability. The Project is supported by a consortium of subject matter experts from a variety of research fields and is guided by an advisory board consisting of representation across a wide spectrum of the US swine industry, including Iowa State University, Kansas State University and Purdue University. The Project is funded by the National Pork Board and has received previous funding from the Foundation for Food & Agriculture Research. Iowa State University manages the project and administers the RFP and grant awards. 

An estimated 30 to 35% of commercial pigs die before reaching the market, creating significant economic losses for farmers and presenting a major challenge to animal wellbeing and sustainability. Historically, reducing mortality has been difficult to achieve due to insufficient knowledge of the underlying causes of death and lack of proven and effective adoption and implementation strategies to prevent these deaths. The Project seeks a full understanding of the biological mechanisms that limit pig and sow survivability, how they interact and how they can be effectively improved. It also includes the development and dissemination of strategies and information that can be used to maximize pig survivability. The Project’s goal is to reduce overall mortality nationally by 1% or more per year over the five-year study. Increasing the wean-to-finish survival of animals by 1% would represent an estimated gain in productivity of approximately 1.2 million pigs a year for the nation’s swine industry.

The Project advisory board is inviting proposal submissions from qualified researchers for funding consideration to improve sow, pre-wean and wean-to-finish mortality. A total of $250,000 is available for this funding opportunity. To support multiple projects, individual project budgets ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 will be considered. Projects up to one year in length are eligible for funding.

The Pig Livability Project advisory board has identified the following subject areas as high-priority topics to address producer needs in improving pig livability. While these have been identified as high-priority research areas, they are not the only swine research topics eligible for funding. Researchers must clearly explain how pork producers will benefit from the proposed research in relation to improving livability. 

1.  Sow

a.  Impact of pre-farrow antibiotic administration on sow mortality and retention

b.  Hemoglobin and bio-marker pre-farrow: Relation to delivery information

c.  FarUV lighting to reduce PRRSv pressure

d.  Impact of transition diets on reducing sow mortality

2.  Pre-wean

a.  Pre-farrow sow management and nutrition focused on decreasing stillborns and increasing vigor/livability post-farrowing

b.  Optimizing piglet management protocols to improve the first 72-hour piglet livability

c.  Sow management and nutrition strategies applied pre-farrow that enhance transition to nursery and post-wean livability

d.  On-farm demonstration of practical and feasible best management practices on the effectiveness of reducing mortality

e.  Transition sow management and nutrition strategies to enhance pre-wean livability

3.  Wean-to-finish

a.  Transport losses: Impact of better trailer sanitation and biosecurity practices on pathogen transmission (PEDV), transport-related morbidity and mortality, and the return on investment (ROI) of this enhanced sanitation protocols in commercial systems

b.  Late-Finish Mortality: Identification and characterization of whole-herd (biological, environmental, health, nutritional, and management) drivers of late-finish mortality (after 120 days on feed), including development of early warning indicators and targeted intervention strategies.

c.  Barn sanitation: Effectiveness of barn cleaning and disinfection strategies on reducing pathogen load, improving pig health and performance, and enhancing livability under commercial production conditions.

1.  The Improving Pig Livability Project has a total of $250,000 to allocate to this RFP for research projects. To support multiple projects, individual project budgets ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 will be considered.

2.  Matching funds are not required for this opportunity; however, collaboration with industry partners and/or leveraging additional funds is highly encouraged and will be considered in the scoring of proposals.

3.  Anticipated project dates are May 15, 2026 – March 30, 2027.

4.  Funding of proposals is dependent on ISU receiving external grant funds. All approved proposals will be set up as sub-award contracts to Iowa State University.

1.   January 26, 2026 – Improving Pig Livability Project RFP available

2.  March 13, 2026 – Full proposals completed and submitted

3.  April 17, 2026 – Applicant notification

4.  May 15, 2026 – Institutional agreements in place

5.  November 15, 2026 – Progress reports due

6.  March 30, 2027 – Projects completed 

7.  April 30, 2027 – Final reports due to ISU

1. Major pig livability focus area is being addressed

    o  Proposals in the range of $25,000-$50,000 will be considered

2. Study design is appropriate to answer the objectives

3. Timeline for completion fits within project goals

4. Cost of project is reasonable based on potential benefit

5. Research results would be easy to adopt by the swine industry

6. The improvement in pig livability can be documented

7. Return on investment to implementation can be documented

8. Additional collaboration or funding from other entities to support project

9. Ability to demonstrate return on investment and/or a project success statement