After the African swine fever (non-fever) era, the topic of the application of artificial intelligence in the pig industry has become increasingly hot, especially the group of large-scale pig farms side by side is trying to rewrite the history of China’s pig industry for thousands of years of courtyard type free-range mode. A large number of group pig enterprise fist rubbing or has boldly attempted to artificial intelligence technology this seemingly lofty content to the traditional pig production, but this is no accident, more like a product of the times.
1. Intelligent technology in the post-plague era of pig production
The necessity of application
Reducing human-pig contact in the non-plague period is the focus of biosecurity management. Some irrelevant personnel operation links in pig farms are erased, so intelligent technology instead of manual operation to reduce the frequency of human-pig contact becomes necessary.
Improving personnel efficiency is a common focus of group farms in the post-Non-Pestilence era, and personnel efficiency in Chinese pig farms generally has a large room for improvement, through intelligent technology to improve per capita production efficiency will become an urgent task.
The biological flow early warning system is an urgent matching tool in the situation of non-plague prevention and control, from outside the pig farm to the pig farm, from outside the pig house to the pig house, from the living area to the production area, from the people, vehicles and things to the individual pigs, a huge biological flow monitoring and early warning needs the support of intelligent technology, and ultimately realize the real-time monitoring and control, to master the dynamics, timely warning.
2. Intelligent technology in the post-African plague era under the
2.1 Pig application framework
Broadly speaking, intelligent technology involves software systems, hardware equipment, basic technology and algorithmic models, software systems such as pig farms commonly used in pig production management and enterprise cloud; hardware equipment including smart sensors, infrared cameras, wearable devices and smart chips, etc.; the basic technology is what is usually referred to as the ABCD technology, and the algorithmic model is a key step to truly realize the imitation from artificial to machine learning, association and migration transition.
In the actual application of pig farms, individual identification is the first step of accurate management, from individual identification extended to the sow reproduction management, piglet management, feeding and growth management, disease prevention and control, environmental control and transfer management and other fields, the current technology often applied to cover RFID technology, visual recognition, sound recognition, automatic feeding stations, intelligent robots, Internet of Things and so on.
3. Third, intelligent equipment in pig application scenarios
3.1 Individual identification
In addition to the traditional visual ear tag, body tattoo, ear shortage and other identification methods, at present we often focus on RFID technology and pig face recognition technology.
RFID radio frequency identification technology, also known as electronic tags, applicable to most types of livestock, it is through the traditional plastic ear tag in the mother tag embedded in an electronic tag, storage of individual animals unique identity information, through the radio signal recognition electronic tags so as to get the ID number, with the reader (radio transceiver) supporting the use. Compared with the traditional ear tag, electronic ear tag has outstanding advantages – non-contact long-distance range identification, unique identity information can not be tampered with to facilitate traceability, and production management software (such as breeding software KF system, production management software pig music tube system) can realize real-time connection to enter data, to adapt to the harsh environment of pig farms, and greatly improve the efficiency and accuracy of data entry. Accuracy. At present, low-frequency electronic ear tag (134.2KHZ) is widely used, such as breeding management, automatic feeding station, etc., and can realize the effect of group reading of ultra-high-frequency electronic ear tags will be gradually mature, and in the fattening group management and traceability system can be applied.
V-ETIC injectors for pigs wearing low-frequency RFID ear tags can collect, store, share and utilize injection information anywhere, anytime;…
Pig face recognition and face recognition technology are the same, are a kind of biometric technology – based on the construction of AI algorithms, through the animal’s appearance characteristics such as the distance between the eyes, the position of the mouth, the width of the skull, patterns, body proportions, to achieve the identification of the animal’s identity. The main technical difficulties are: the growth cycle of pigs is short, the appearance changes quickly, the recognition is difficult; at the same time, pigs in the pigsty are often in a state of motion, but also rarely facing the camera, even if the face of the pig in the restriction pen is easy to be blocked by the fence, the difficulty of data collection is high; more critical is the lack of data on the change of the size of the different breeds of pigs in the growth of the data for reference. Although the advantages of pig face recognition are outstanding, the road of technology exploration is a long way to go.
3.2 Sow management
Through the behavioral analysis of sows and body temperature changes to monitor the reproductive state and health status of sows, it has a clear significance of application for the timely detection of sows in heat, return to love, disease early warning combined with remote collaboration.
The e-doctor shown in the figure below monitors the core temperature of pigs around the clock to determine the timing of estrus and health status of sows, thus providing a certain basis for accurate timing of breeding and early warning of diseases.
Of course, through the behavioral monitoring of sows to determine the estrus and health status of sows, which is also the development direction that the industry is currently focusing on.
3.3 Piglet management
Merck Sharp & Dohme Animal Health Intelligence’s brand, Anlaf, has developed a multifunctional handling vehicle for piglets in farrowing houses, which can be used to realize the process of piglet management from catching-ear tagging-weighing-recording-tail-breaking-infusion of deworming-infusion of pseudo Rabies-iron supplementation-health care-vaccination and other farrowing house SOP operation processes, greatly reducing labor costs, reducing the waste of medicine, reducing piglet wound infection, and improving the survival rate of piglets in the farrowing house.
The SmartGuard system, developed by the Iowa Venture Program, monitors in real time the pitch, intensity and duration of squealing piglets in the farrowing house and determines whether the piglets are in distress or squealing normally. When a piglet is crushed, the device sends a vibration to the sow’s wearable device, alerting the sow to stand or change position to free the crushed piglet.
4. Feeding management
At present, the inventory and weight estimation of growing pigs is a hotspot for research and development in the world. Beijing Xiaolong Diving Company develops Ranch Watcher based on the accurate management of the growth process of pigs, each pig wears a visual ear tag/electronic ear tag, so that the granularity of the management is fine-tuned to a single fat pig, monitors the daily weight growth of each pig and the curve of backfat change, and adjusts the module of feeding strategy based on the weight situation, and the combination of the Internet of Things (IoT) technology can realize Optimization of feed, water and environmental indicators.
5、Disease management
Fancom’s Cough Monitor, which includes a computer with a special sound analysis function and a microphone hanging in the pen, can be used to detect respiratory problems in pigs at an early stage by using the sound analysis function, filtering other sounds of the pigs and recording their coughing behavior.
6、Other
In the post-African plague era, intelligent equipment accelerates the participation in the chain of collecting data-processing data-decision-making and control in pig rearing application scenarios, applying a variety of sensors through IoT technology to monitor the indicators of temperature, humidity, ventilation, light, feed and water in the pig barn, and establishing big data information on the temperature of groups of pigs through infrared thermal imagers, and realizing the transfer of pigs to and from the groups by combining intelligent weight estimation through RFID technology. Through RFID technology combined with intelligent weight estimation to realize the individual management and traceability of pigs, and even through intelligent robots instead of manual cleaning of pig sheds, elimination of four pests, and cleaning of feces.
7. Conclusion
From talking about the plague to talk about the plague as often, China has experienced more than a year of non-plague baptism and tribulation, the reason why called baptism is because the non-plague to promote the pig industry’s rational cognition and rapid development of the pig industry practitioners from the past relatively blindly follow the state to become more rational and sober. Strong support from the government, maturing technology, attempts by group companies to land, intelligent technology and equipment will also strengthen the foundation for the recovery of the entire Chinese pig industry, improve biosecurity precautionary efforts, and help improve production efficiency and the liberation of labor.
8. Frequently Asked Questions
8.1 What are smart devices, and how can they be used in pig farming?
Smart devices refer to advanced technologies such as IoT (Internet of Things) sensors, automated feeding systems, environmental monitors, and health tracking tools. In pig farming, these devices can monitor pig health, track environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity), automate feeding, and provide real-time data to farmers. This helps improve efficiency, reduce labor costs, and enhance disease prevention.
8.2 How do smart devices help prevent diseases like African Swine Fever (ASF)?
Smart devices can detect early signs of illness by monitoring pigs’ behavior, body temperature, and feeding patterns. They also enable better biosecurity by controlling access to farms, monitoring visitors, and ensuring proper sanitation. Real-time data allows farmers to respond quickly to potential outbreaks, minimizing the risk of disease spread.
8.3 Are smart devices cost-effective for small-scale pig farmers?
While the initial investment in smart devices can be high, they often lead to long-term cost savings by reducing labor, improving feed efficiency, and preventing losses due to disease. For small-scale farmers, scalable and affordable solutions, such as basic health monitoring sensors, can be a good starting point.
8.4 What challenges might farmers face when adopting smart farming technologies?
Common challenges include the high upfront cost, lack of technical knowledge, and limited internet connectivity in rural areas. Additionally, farmers may need training to effectively use and maintain these devices. Governments and private companies can play a role in providing subsidies, training, and infrastructure support.
8.5 Can smart devices improve the overall productivity of pig farms?
Yes, smart devices can significantly improve productivity by optimizing feeding schedules, ensuring ideal living conditions, and reducing stress on pigs. They also provide data-driven insights that help farmers make informed decisions, leading to better growth rates and higher-quality pork production.
8.6 How do smart devices contribute to environmental sustainability in pig farming?
Smart devices help reduce waste by optimizing feed and water usage. They also monitor and control emissions, such as ammonia and methane, by maintaining proper ventilation and waste management systems. This contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practice.
8.7 What role does data analytics play in smart pig farming?
Data analytics is crucial for interpreting the vast amounts of data collected by smart devices. It helps farmers identify trends, predict potential issues (e.g., disease outbreaks), and make informed decisions to improve farm management and productivity.
8.8 Are there any risks associated with relying on smart devices in pig farming?
Potential risks include technical failures, data security concerns, and over-reliance on technology. Farmers should have backup plans and ensure proper maintenance of devices. Additionally, data collected by smart devices should be securely stored to prevent unauthorized access.
8.9 How can farmers get started with smart farming technologies?
Farmers can start by identifying their specific needs, such as health monitoring or automated feeding. They can then research affordable and reliable smart devices, seek training, and gradually integrate these technologies into their operations. Collaborating with tech providers or agricultural extension services can also be helpful.
8.10 What is the future of smart pig farming in the post-ASF era?
The future of smart pig farming looks promising, with advancements in AI, machine learning, and IoT. These technologies will enable even more precise monitoring, predictive analytics, and automation, helping farmers build resilient and sustainable operations in the face of challenges like ASF.
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