Precision pig farming
As demand for meat rises and livestock farms become larger, it is becoming increasingly difficult for farmers to keep track of individual animals. Precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies are innovative animal management systems that allow farmers to closely monitor their animals' health and welfare. The EU-funded project ALL-SMART-PIGS (Practical implementation of precision livestock technologies and services at European pig farms using the living lab methodology) developed a data collection and management system for PLF application in commercial farms. Called Farm Manager, the ALL-SMART-PIGS system collects data on animal weight, feed, air quality and respiratory diseases. Via software tools the system enables farmers to monitor key performance parameters such as animal health, growth rate and feed usage. Project partners demonstrated these tools in living labs based at four pig farms in Spain and Hungary. This allowed researchers to test and validate their prototypes and services in real-life conditions with pig farmers and other food operators. The main focus was on the co-creation of innovations based on users' real needs and on involving the whole value chain. The project also showcased the use of traceability to optimise feed usage in the feed-animal-food chain. Improved communication between supply chain partners can result in major economic benefits for feed providers, farmers and slaughter houses. Another important project outcome was the demonstration of how best to bring the developed scientific and technical knowledge to the market place. This was achieved by implementing a user-driven innovation process. The main users of ALL-SMART-PIGS system will be the small and medium-sized enterprise (SME) technology providers involved, the pig farmers (which are all SMEs), and other food business operators related to the pig farming value chain. ALL-SMART-PIGS will also help livestock farmers keep up with the rising demand for meat while looking after their individual animals' needs.
Keywords
Pig farming, precision livestock farming, ALL-SMART-PIGS, living lab, Farm Manager
