An overview of the current trends in precision pig farming technologies

• Published in: Livestock science Vol. 249; p. 104530
• Main Authors: Tzanidakis, Christos, Simitzis, Panagiotis, Arvanitis, Konstantinos, Panagakis, Panagiotis
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.07.2021
• Subjects: animal welfare; Bio-responses; economic sustainability; feed conversion; Pigs; Precision Livestock Farming; Real-time monitoring; swine; Technology; Pigs; Precision Livestock Farming; Technology; Real-time monitoring; Bio-responses
• ISSN: 1871-1413; 1878-0490
• DOI: 10.1016/j.livsci.2021.104530

•PLF in Pig Farms.•PLF technologies include vision, sound, other CIT sensors.•PLF usage generally improves the economy of pig units.•Future of PLF research for commercial use. Pig farming is one of the most technologically advanced and continuously growing production sectors. As the pig herds grow larger and at the same time the number of farmers decreases worldwide, it is almost impossible for the farmers to assess every individual animal and assure its wellbeing. Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) could provide solutions to these problems. PLF is intending to achieve fully automated continuous monitoring of pigs, emphasizing on each pen, by using technological advancements as part of the management process. It can potentially improve animal welfare, feed efficiency, performance and reduce livestock emissions and therefore positively impact the financial viability of the unit. The data may be collected by cameras (CCTV, infra-red, thermal, etc.) and real-time analyses systems, by microphones and sound analyses systems, or by any other sensor within the production unit or on the animal such as accelerometers, RFID sensors, etc. This overview presents and critically discusses several papers, attempts to make predictions of future technological developments, and proposes potential research needed.