PigProgress Sow numbers in the Netherlands drop by 70,000 In the first 10 months of 2020, the number of sows in the Netherlands came down by roughly 70,000 animals. The reason for that is a so-called ‘remediation’ policy, where producers are invited to be bought out, using subsidies. The reduction, an estimate by at least 2 artificial insemination companies, mostly took place in July and August, when 50,000 sows were taken out of production. Sows were also taken out of production in November. This brings the total to 75,000 less sows than in January, or an 8% reduction compared to the beginning of the year. There will still be roughly 800,000 sows left in a relatively urbanised and densely populated country, the size of Kentucky.