Sow and piglet monitoring

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  1. Danish Technological Institute
  2. DMRI
  3. Animal Welfare
  4. Real time monitoring of production and research animals
  5. Sow and piglet monitoring
Daniel Lindegaard Hjorth Lund

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Sow and piglet monitoring

Modern pig production faces significant challenges in monitoring animal health and welfare.

Recent technological innovations in sensor technology and artificial intelligence offer promising solutions for enhancing animal welfare and business efficiency in pig farming operations. 

 

Real-time health monitoring for improved welfare 

We design solutions specifically designed to reduce sow mortality in pig herds, improve animal welfare, and create more sustainable food production systems. This initiative focuses on creating a real-time monitoring system that detects health problems in pregnant sows, such as lameness and heat stress. 

By identifying health issues early, the system supports farmers in providing timely treatment, significantly improving sow welfare and reducing piglet mortality through better maternal health. This proactive approach represents a fundamental shift from reactive to preventative health management. 

 

Innovative monitoring technologies 

The solution employs sophisticated ear tags equipped with accelerometers, Bluetooth connectivity, and temperature sensors that measure: 

  • Sow activity patterns throughout the day 

  • Body temperature fluctuations 

  • Movement and location within the gestation housing 

To develop and refine this system, comprehensive video data is being collected to create vision algorithms that serve as reference data for the ear tag algorithms. This multi-sensor approach provides a complete picture of sow health and behaviour. 

 

Complementary Monitoring Technologies 

Different monitoring technologies offer complementary benefits. Camera-based systems provide detailed visual information ideal for training AI algorithms and comprehensive behavioural assessment. Meanwhile, accelerometer technology integrated into ear tags offers cost-effective continuous monitoring of individual animal movement patterns, addressing tracking challenges inherent in camera-only systems. 

By combining these technologies, farmers can develop comprehensive monitoring solutions that overcome the limitations of traditional subjective assessments whilst providing continuous welfare monitoring. 

 

Sustainability Impact 

Enhanced monitoring systems contribute significantly to sustainability goals: 

  • Improved sow welfare through breeding for robustness and longevity 

  • Reduced environmental footprint through more efficient production 

  • Alignment with national and EU standards for animal welfare 

  • Contribution to the development of more sustainable pig production systems 

These technological advances represent a significant step forward in creating more efficient, welfare-focused pig production systems that meet both commercial and ethical requirements of modern agriculture.