Dr. Raj Sharma, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Researchers at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) are leveraging radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology to revolutionize swine health monitoring. By tracking the feeding behaviors of individual pigs, the technology provides an early warning system for detecting disease, allowing producers to intervene more effectively and reduce potential losses.
The research, presented by Dr. Raj Sharma, Postdoctoral Research Fellow at UNL, during the Saskatchewan Pork Industry Symposium 2024, focuses on deploying autonomous systems that capture data 24/7. These systems monitor pigs’ feeding and drinking habits, offering real-time insights to swine producers.
How RFID Technology Works
Dr. Sharma explained that RFID-based systems monitor pigs’ visits to feeders and drinkers, tracking metrics such as time spent eating or drinking and frequency of visits. Deviations in these patterns, whether in individual pigs or across peer groups, can signal potential health issues.
“We are monitoring pigs going to the feeders and drinkers and by calculating how much time they spend there and how many visits they make,” Dr. Sharma said. “We can sometimes get a pretty good idea if there are any underlying conditions because you see obvious changes from their pattern or from the pattern of their peers.”
Currently, the system issues alerts to producers when irregularities in feeding data suggest a pig may be unwell. While locating specific animals in large groups—such as a barn with 110 pigs—remains a challenge, researchers are working on marking systems to streamline the process.
Emerging Technologies in Swine Health Monitoring
The project also incorporates computer vision technologies to enhance disease monitoring. This rapidly advancing field uses AI-driven systems to track animal movements and detect behavioral changes with extreme accuracy.
“At the University of Nebraska, we have a team working on New Track, a proven system for tracking pigs. It works, and computer vision technologies are providing highly accurate results,” Dr. Sharma added.
Supporting Caretakers Amid Labor Shortages
Despite its advanced capabilities, the RFID and computer vision systems are not designed to replace human caretakers. Instead, they aim to augment their efforts by providing tools that make caretakers’ work easier and more efficient.
“The shortage of labor in the pork sector is a big concern, so our goal is to make these systems interactive and engaging,” Dr. Sharma noted. “This allows caretakers to focus on the more important tasks instead of full visual inspections.”
A Step Forward in Swine Health Management
These advancements in autonomous monitoring highlight the growing potential of technology to address labor shortages, improve animal welfare, and boost productivity in the pork industry. By enabling early disease detection, RFID and computer vision systems are set to become valuable tools in swine health management.
