Behavioral Monitoring Tool for Pig Farmers: Ear Tag Sensors, Machine Intelligence, and Technology Adoption Roadmap

Precision swine production can benefit from autonomous, noninvasive, and affordable devices that conduct frequent checks on the well-being status of pigs. Here, we present a remote monitoring tool for the objective measurement of some behavioral indicators that may help in assessing the health and welfare status—namely, posture, gait, vocalization, and external temperature. The multiparameter electronic sensor board is characterized by laboratory measurements and by animal tests. Relevant behavioral health indicators are discussed for implementing machine learning algorithms and decision support tools to detect animal lameness, lethargy, pain, injury, and distress. The roadmap for technology adoption is also discussed, along with challenges and the path forward. The presented technology can potentially lead to efficient management of farm animals, targeted focus on sick animals, medical cost savings, and less use of antibiotics.

精准养猪业可受益于能够高频监测猪只健康状况的自主、无创且经济实惠的设备。本文提出一款可客观测量部分行为指标的远程监测工具，这些指标有助于评估猪只的健康与福利状态——具体包括姿态、步态、发声及体表温度。该多参数电子传感器板已通过实验室测试与动物试验完成性能表征。本文还探讨了可支撑机器学习算法与决策支持工具开发的相关行为健康指标，以用于检测动物跛行、嗜睡、疼痛、损伤与应激状态。此外，本文还讨论了该技术的采纳路线图，以及该领域面临的挑战与未来发展方向。本研究展示的技术有望实现畜禽高效管理、对患病动物的针对性关注、节省医疗成本并减少抗生素使用。