Precision Livestock Farming in Swine Production

Abstract

Digital agriculture is increasingly being incorporated into all areas of agricultural production, but using different names. Names, including precision agriculture, digital horticulture, and precision forestry, are used within row crop, horticulture, and forestry systems, respectively. Within livestock production systems, digital agriculture is commonly called “precision livestock farming” or abbreviated PLF. The application of digital agriculture, or PLF, in swine production systems involves the digitization of all aspects of production. Examples of PLF within swine production systems include feeding, watering, ventilation, environmental control, disease detection, animal welfare, and many additional aspects of animal health management. A wide variety of sensors and algorithmic systems are used for real-time monitoring and control in pig production systems. Methods, including computer vision, sound, temperature, and movement sensing, are used to collect data that is in-turn analyzed by digital systems in order to make management decisions in real time. This chapter provides an overview of these applications and describes the current state of the science regarding the use of PLF via digital agriculture in swine production.