Cameras Could Help Pork Producers Spot Sick Pigs Early

Cameras are everywhere these days, in our phones, computers, and doorbells. Now, a smart professor from Iowa State University is looking at how cameras can assist pig farmers in spotting sickness and changes in pig behavior.

The professor, Joshua Peschel, is studying how cameras in hog barns can make life easier for farmers. One of the biggest challenges for the swine industry is understanding the health and behavior of pigs accurately and reliably.

With cameras in the barns, farmers can keep an eye on their pigs from anywhere, using their laptops or smartphones. This is especially useful during farrowing when farmers might be busy elsewhere.

Using cameras can save time and money for farmers and also help take better care of the pigs. For example, if it's late at night, and a farmer is worried about a sick pig, they can check the camera feed on their phone to see if the pig needs immediate attention or if it can wait until morning.

The only problem might be getting good internet in rural areas. But the professor suggests using satellite service if there's no cellular signal or internet connection.

Cameras are becoming more popular in agriculture, especially for row crop producers. They use them to improve their yields and cut costs. The professor thinks it's essential for pig farmers to have similar tools to handle their growing number of pigs.

The professor plans to keep working on this idea and develop new software for cameras to make things even better. With cameras on their side, pig farmers can do their job more efficiently and take better care of their pigs,