Good Practice - Project
EIP Operational Group ThermoEye – innovative system for improving pig welfare
Developing technical solutions to improve the pig breeding process, with a direct positive impact on animal welfare, environment and economic performance.
General information
RDP Priority
- P2. Competitiveness
RDP Focus Area
- 2A: Farm’s performance, restructuring & modernisation
RDP Measure
- M16: Cooperation
Beneficiary type
- Operational group
Summary
The project was promoted by the Operational Group 'Healthy animals - healthy food ThermoEye' involving three big breeding farms in the municipality of Rozprza, Poland. The project aimed to develop relevant technology to improve the monitoring of animal health, thereby reducing the need for antibiotics. The research showed that animal behaviour and environmental conditions correlate with body temperature in animals. Among the developed solutions was ThermoEye, a continuous monitoring system that measures animals' temperatures unattended with no contact. On this basis, the collaborative project team further developed a multi-level methodology for the detection of temperature and behavioural anomalies. This represents an early warning system of unfavourable health conditions to help avoid the spreading and/or worsening of disease.
By using this approach, pathogenic symptoms can be analysed at multiple levels leading to a wide range of positive impacts on animal health and welfare, quality of meat production, and economic and environmental improvements.
Results
- The research findings confirmed that an elevated body temperature is an easy, stress-free method and a reliable indicator of low welfare in individual animals.
- The research further concluded that the non-invasive and continuous measurement of the temperature of each individual in a given group enables the automatic marking of individuals suspected of disease. These individuals can then be directed early to an isolation room for a detailed veterinary examination by which the need to use antibiotics for all animals in the whole group is eliminated.
Promoter
Healthy animals - healthy food ThermoEye OG*
* The project promoter/beneficiary is an EIP-AGRI Operational Group
Funding
Total budget: 358 292 (EUR)
EAFRD: 192 468 (EUR)
National/Regional: 110 012 (EUR)
Private/own: 55 812 (EUR)
Resources
Context
In recent years, pig production has become more dynamic and efficient worldwide. However, increased demands relating to production, loss reduction and employment require a comprehensive and efficient approach to herd management from producers. It is, therefore, essential that modern pig production incorporates not only state-of-the-art infrastructure, precise prevention programmes, reproductive control and nutrition programmes but also makes use of available technologies designed to monitor the herd's health and welfare.
To maximise herd potential, it is necessary to reduce the incidences of diseases and minimise the need for antibacterial substances. Pig health is also crucial for overall production economics. For example, in neglected herds, the mortality and morbidity rates are higher than normal, and veterinary costs for drugs and vaccines are substantial. Herds with poor health are also prone to low productivity, reduced growth rates and increased feed consumption. This prolongs the fattening period and reduces production efficiency which, in turn, requires increased human resources to ensure food safety. A reduction in antibiotic use in livestock herds is, therefore, desirable as it will contribute to a reduction in metabolites and toxic substances excreted by treated animals. Experience has shown that early detection of diseases leads to a reduction of antibiotics, thereby reducing the number of chemical substances released into the natural environment.
In light of the above, it is beneficial for veterinarians and farmers to utilise new technologies early in pig production to monitor potential threats that could negatively impact animal productivity and well-being.
Objectives
The objective of the project was to develop and implement a non-invasive monitoring system for measuring the temperature of farm animals (pigs). The overall rationale for this approach was to reduce the use of antimicrobials in pig production and thereby improve production.
At the operational level, the project aimed to collaborate in line with a multi-actor approach. This included three farm owners of piggeries in Rozprza, the faculty of veterinary medicine and animal science team of Poznan University of Life Sciences, a small company developing innovative solutions and advisors from the Lodz Agricultural Advisory Centre as project leaders.
Activities
The project involved three stages:
- Purchasing necessary equipment for the piggery of the Poznan University of Life Sciences. Researchers selected a material with optimal emissivity for thermal windows. Simultaneously, algorithms for animal identification and motion vector assignment were developed. ThermoEye, a system designed to detect fever (hyperthermia), was used to optimise pig fattening. The impact of high ammonia concentrations on thermal windows and electronics was assessed using behavioural models and algorithms. Traits related to pig fattening and slaughter were also evaluated.
- Implementing a secure device access solution. Devices were installed in the pigsties. Researchers conducted fattening-related research on two groups: pharmacotherapy-free and pharmacotherapy-treated populations. At this stage, the research pig groups included both the university's pigsty and those of the three participating farmers. The research team analysed and compared the behavioural models and algorithms developed on the university pig population to those of the farmers' pig population. The measuring devices were installed on the farms, taking into account insights gained from research on the impact of the environment on electronics and thermal windows.
- Conducting veterinary visits by university employees to monitor the pigsties. Meanwhile, based on the collected data related to mobility and behaviour, final behavioural models and algorithms were implemented. Conclusions were drawn in terms of comparative analysis of slaughter traits of the two research populations from the university breeding site and those from the farmers.
- Using the research findings to inform a number of solutions to improve the pig breeding process. Relevant activities involved: (a) the development of a system that measures and analyses the temperature of animals unattended and non-contact in a continuous mode; (b) installation of the ThermoEye system monitoring the temperature of around 500 animals across four farms; (c) installation of 21 sensors located on animal feeders; and (d) installation of four vision systems for studying animal behaviour.
- Developing a multi-level methodology for the detection of temperature and behavioural anomalies.
- Extracting models of animal behaviour (e.g. aggression) that negatively affected the growth and welfare of the animals.
- Developing a conjunct correlation that illustrated the correlation of animals' body temperature growth with their behaviour and environmental conditions.
Main results
- The research findings confirmed that an elevated body temperature is an easy, stress-free method and a reliable indicator of low welfare in individual animals ('Pig Stress Syndrome').
- The research further concluded that the non-invasive and continuous measurement of the temperature of each individual in a given group enables the automatic marking of individuals suspected of disease. These individuals can then be directed early to an isolation room for a detailed veterinary examination by which the need to use antibiotics for all animals in the whole group is eliminated.
The utilisation of ThermoEye technology had a range of positive impacts:
- The tool led to the faster and more accurate detection of postpartum disorders in sows running with fever (mastitis, endometritis). Animals exhibiting abnormal sexual cycles could be detected earlier so that hormonal support could be provided more effectively.
- The temperature data could effectively inform the control of fattening processes. In addition, feed could be provided in a more efficient manner leading to improved production and economic results.
- The reduced use of antibiotics led to a higher quality of pork, improved standards and enabled consumption of meat that was free of antibiotic residues.
- Smart Soft Solutions Sp z.o.o., the developer of the innovation solution, filed a patent application for the protection of the ThermoEye solution in Western European countries.
- The research results of the ThermoEye system were published in scientific journals and presented at national and international scientific conferences and seminars.
Key lessons
- The use of innovative technologies such as the project’s ThermoEye system optimises large-scale livestock farming by shortening the fattening period while increasing the performance of pig production. This optimisation will make it possible to partially reduce the adverse climate impact of the animal food production sector.
- The project's impact on increasing farmers' knowledge and skills is valuable because it opens up and highlights opportunities to improve animal welfare and the farms’ economic situation.
- Farmers participating in the project had the opportunity to participate in research, observe and introduce the project's assumptions. Farm advisors and farmers' participation at each stage of the project allowed them to expand their knowledge and competence in the application of modern technologies in pig farming.