Farm internet tracking of pigs, “FITPig”

Pig production has gained a substantial efficiency over the last couple of decades. Technological development and genetic progress have resulted in more piglets produced per sow and year than ever. Putting attention to the individual animal is an approach that is now possible by the use of IoT sensors, sending online information to the farmers. With automated alerts, farmers can respond quicker to events that require action. The advantage of the use of sensors, is that the animals are monitored around the clock and not only during short sessions during mainly daytime. Such approach is suggested to improve animal welfare and reduce the use of antibiotics together with improving efficiency.

A solution is proposed to monitor physiological signs using a sensor embedded in a RFID/IoT ear tag, which provides farmers with a context-based alarm and decision support. This sensor includes features that are able to monitor health, farrowing and behaviour of the animals.

FITPig will contribute to meeting agriculture’s grand challenges in feeding the growing world population with adequate food by improving animal welfare. Animal health and behaviour control, is a useful tool for welfare monitoring, improved illness detection and for controlling ecosystem pressure in the way of manure management as well as the use of antibiotics.