Henry Bruno Schwab
Accountant, State University of the
Center-West of Paraná (UNICENTRO), Prudentópolis, Paraná, Brazil, E-mail: henrybrunos@hotmail.com
Telma Regina Stroparo
PhD in Geography, State University of Central-West (UNICENTRO), Irati, Paraná,
Brazil. Email: telma@unicentro.br
Mônica Aparecida Bortolotti
PhD in Public Policy, State University of
Paraná (UNESPAR), Campo Mourão, Paraná, Brazil. Email:
monica.bortolotti@unespar.edu.br
ABSTRACT
Brazilian pig farming faces increasing demands related
to environmental sustainability and animal welfare, which are fundamental to
regulatory compliance and market competitiveness. From this perspective, this
article aims to analyze the economic effects of adopting animal welfare
practices in pig production. The research locus is an integrated farm located
in the municipality of Prudentópolis, Paraná, Brazil. Methodologically, the
study is characterized as a case study with a mixed-methods approach (qualitative
and quantitative), combining direct observation with documentary analysis of
three successive finishing batches, totaling 3,966 pigs. The analysis
encompassed zootechnical indicators (average daily weight gain, feed conversion
ratio, mortality rate) and economic indicators (total cost per animal, cost per
kilogram of live weight, ROI). The results indicate that animal
welfare–oriented practices, such as thermal control, biosecurity, adequate
housing conditions, and sanitary management, contributed to improved productive
performance, reduced antibiotic use, and a progressive decrease in feed costs
per animal. Overall, the findings demonstrate that environmental compliance
combined with animal welfare represents an effective sustainability strategy in
contemporary pig farming.
Keywords: Pig farming. Animal welfare. Sustainability. Environmental compliance. Rural management.
Reviewed by Current Scientific Journal
on
fevereiro 13, 2026
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