An overview of the current trends in precision pig farming technologies

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.