The report on the five-year research programme ‘Boars Heading for 2018’ contains an overview of the alternatives to castrating pigs. The options as well as the pros and cons, and the principal criteria were catalogued per link in the production chain.
Possible alternatives include genetic selection during the breeding phase and immunovaccination at the pig farm. Options for slaughterhouses include slaughtering at a younger age and boar taint detection on the slaughter line. Meat processing companies have the option of modifying their recipes and/or products.
Detailed information can be obtained straight from the researcher in question. The (English-language) research report and contact details are available at boars2018.com.