From Paper to Sensors: The Future of Pig Monitoring
Pig production is one of the fundamental pillars of the agri-food sector in Europe, significantly contributing to the economy and food supply. However, this sector faces major challenges related to animal health and welfare, particularly regarding respiratory and gastrointestinal infectious diseases. The integration of digital technologies on farms can be a key tool in addressing these challenges.
In this context, the European project DECIDE (Data-driven control and prioritisation of non-EU-regulated contagious animal diseases) is driving the development of data-based tools to facilitate decision-making on farms. Specifically, within IRTA-CReSA, this project, funded by the Horizon 2020 program, focuses on providing innovative tools to efficiently detect and manage respiratory and gastrointestinal diseases in pigs. One of its key solutions includes monitoring and analysis technologies that transform data collected on farms into useful information to prevent risks and improve animal health. More information about this project can be found on its official website: DECIDE Project.
A New Era of Data and Technology
According to a recent study from the DECIDE project published in Frontiers in Veterinary Science, two prototypes of digital tools—a “benchmarking” tool and an “early-warning” tool—have been evaluated for their ability to help producers manage infectious diseases in pigs. These tools use data collected on farms to provide visual information and generate real-time alerts, respectively. Through clear graphs and indicators, they aim to improve decision-making and reduce losses associated with outbreaks.
The “benchmarking” tool allows comparisons of mortality data from a farm with others at regional and national levels, helping identify potential deviations in animal health. The “early-warning” tool, on the other hand, uses sensors to monitor the frequency of pig coughing, indicating possible respiratory problems before they become severe threats.
Acceptance and Challenges for Farmers
The acceptance level of these technologies is promising, especially among young farmers, integrators, and those with a high level of education. However, some obstacles were identified, such as concerns about data reliability, initial implementation costs, and the lack of contextual information on mortality indicators.
It was also observed that farmers with more years of experience tended to rely more on their own observations than on technological tools. This highlights the need for training and support for potential users.
Towards a More Sustainable Future
Integrating digital tools into pig production can not only improve animal health and welfare but also contribute to the sector’s sustainability. The data generated can facilitate more efficient production and help reduce antibiotic use, a key concern for global public health.
The path toward adopting advanced technologies is full of possibilities but also requires a joint commitment between researchers, tool developers, and farmers themselves. The future of pig production undoubtedly involves the intelligent and responsible use of technology.
This study was conducted as part of the European DECIDE project, funded by the European Union, with the collaboration of researchers from various institutions, and was recently published in the scientific journal Frontiers in Veterinary Science: Zhou X, Knörr A, Garcia Morante B, Correia-Gomes C, Dieste Pérez L, Segalés J, Sibila M, Vilalta C, Burrell A, Tobias T, Siegrist M, Bearth A. 2025. Data recording and use of data tools for pig health management: perspectives of stakeholders in pig farming. Front Vet Sci. 11:1490770. doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2024.1490770.
Image by Mabel Albert at Pixabay.
