Umbilical hernias, of any size, are usually direct and therefore complicated by adhesions that can interfere with normal digestion.
A moderate amount of adhesion should only somewhat reduce the pigs’ performance and their carcasses should be of similar value to pigs that do not have this condition.
However, problems arise if the intestines are ruptured during the slaughter process and the intestinal contents contaminate the carcass.
Often these pigs are sent to specialty harvest facilities that can accommodate them and slaughter them with minimal risk of carcass condemnation. This re-sorting in the market chain causes the reduction in value.