UK - New monitoring system offers huge saving to pig producers
Published:March 16, 2005
Source :FarmEx
Technological advances have enabled a high-tech company in Berkshire to launch a revolutionary system which, it claims, has the potential to yield a 30 per cent improvement in performance on pig units and save an average unit £10,000 a year.
A new method of 'real time' monitoring, known as the Dicam Monitoring Service, developed by FarmEx will enable farmers to scrutinise key production factors - such as water and feed consumption, temperature and energy use. These can then be analysed and compared with predetermined production targets to enable adjustments to be made while the pigs are still growing on the farm.
The 'spy in the sty' system involves installing a network of sensors linked to a computer via a data logger. The information is then downloaded for interpretation - which can be done by FarmEx through their Barn Report software - enabling corrective action or adjustments to be carried out without delay.
"You can't control what you don't measure. Traditionally, a surprising amount of faith has been put in max/min thermometers but now producers need to measure what exactly is going on in their buildings 24 hours a day, not just temperature peaks and troughs at indeterminate times," commented FarmEx managing director Hugh Crabtree.
"Our research has shown that there is some 'low hanging fruit' to be plucked from installing this system. There are quick wins to be had from health monitoring, reduced feed and energy waste and more effective climate control - even from the crudest of facilities."
Initial focus is on the growing and finishing pig but there are potential gains to be had from all classes of pig, he says. The capital cost for a typical finishing site could be £2000-£2500, with a running cost of between £300 and £600 per year. However, the benefits can be so large the capital payback time can be well under a year.
