Innovative PLF Tool to Assess Growing-Finishing Pigs' Welfare

The main goal of the AWARTECH project (Animal Welfare Adjusted Real Time Environmental Conditions of Housing) was to develop an innovative precision livestock tool that will support and reinforce the pig value chain, through the management of solutions based on monitoring, analysis and control of environmental, physiological, behaviour and animal performances parameters. Environmental data was collected by sensors of temperature, relative humidity, air velocity and gas concentration, which are integrated in an environmental control system (Webisense) and in a platform (Nidus). Webisense controlled the ventilation system, the cooling system and the heating system. The rectal and body surface temperatures were registered manual and automatically. In order to monitor the behaviour of the animals, video cameras were installed. An individual feeding machine equipped with a scale has been also installed. This equipment allow, through an RFID system, the individual monitoring and control of the amount of food supplied and ingested; the number and duration of visits; and the animal's weight. The development of the AWARTECH platform resulted from the integration of data provided by Webisense, Nidus, feeding machine and video analytics as well as physiological data. This platform allows the control the environmental conditions based on welfare indicators promoting animal welfare.

Automated summary

The AWARTECH project aimed to develop an innovative precision livestock tool to support and strengthen the pig value chain. It integrated sensors, control systems, and a platform to monitor and control the environmental, physiological, behavioral, and performance parameters of the animals. The platform allowed for individual monitoring and control of feeding, visits, and weight, promoting animal welfare through the control of environmental conditions based on welfare indicators.