The objectives of the present study were to study the effect of strategic use of straw at farrowing on stillbirths, post-mortem findings within 5 days after birth and the pre-weaning mortality of liveborn piglets. We conclude that provision of 15–20 kg of straw 2 days prior to the calculated date of farrowing strongly affects stillbirths, reducing the number of stillborn piglets per litter by 27%. Under the conditions studied, the pre-weaning mortality of liveborn piglets was not affected by treatment; however the distribution of post-mortem findings differed with fewer piglets dying due to starvation and more due to crushing and enteritis in STRAW litters.