The Pigxcel system was developed from an idea by pig farmer Per Eke-Göransson from Vadstena, who also serves on the board of Smart Agritech Solution of Sweden. Around twenty years ago, he began to notice a connection between a pig’s back and its weight.
New technology
“He made contacts within the tech sector and developed a system, an algorithm, for analysing images,” says his son Hugo Eke-Göransson, who presented the company at a technology event for young farmers organised by LRF Youth Sörmland and the Digitalisation Hub.
Initially, the pigs were weighed individually during feeding using a portable camera. However, this approach was limiting and only worked in certain types of pig housing. In simple terms, the Pigxcel system works by photographing and measuring each pig. The challenge, of course, is that pigs do not stand still. Automating the process took time.
“When cameras became cheaper and cloud services made it possible to store images quickly and easily, the entire concept was redesigned. Today, the system consists of a network of connected cameras, one for each pen, capturing 120 images per day. In practice, this makes it possible to monitor growth curves almost in real time. The system and its data are also easy for farmers to work with.”
Combining
Per Frankelius, Managing Director of Agtech Sweden, comments on Smart Agritech’s journey:
“Innovation processes often take many years when it comes to radical innovation. That has also been the case for the concepts developed by Smart Agritech Solution together with Linköping University, pig producers and many other partners. The process has been under way for a long time, but they are now beginning to gain international recognition. The key lies in combining optical weighing, individual animal recognition and pig identification.”
The images are processed using algorithms and compiled in a web portal. The system has an accuracy of plus or minus 2.5 kilograms. Farmers can quickly generate digital growth curves for each pen, and if a group’s average weight deviates from the expected curve, the system issues a warning.
“Weight is an indicator of a pig’s health. It allows farmers to detect early signs that something may be wrong, such as disease or other problems. At the same time, it helps optimise feed consumption,” says Hugo Eke-Göransson.
Early warnings
Monitoring growth also makes it possible to assess whether feeding strategies are delivering the expected results in each pen and whether ventilation systems are functioning properly. Hugo Eke-Göransson continues:
“Information about the group’s wellbeing can provide warnings long before the human eye is able to detect abnormalities. Simply by monitoring whether growth patterns are consistent throughout the building, it is possible to identify individuals that are falling behind the group. The system can also generate alerts if growth rates begin to vary.”
In addition, farmers can gain an overview of both the average weight and the target weight of individual pigs or entire groups of pigs. Agritech Solutions' system can now also identify individual animals based on patterns and distinguishing features on their backs. The company is further developing the technology through the use of sound recording.
“We currently have trials under way in which we are testing a system that listens at pen level. It can also provide information about the animals’ general welfare in the pig house. Parts of the project have been carried out in collaboration with Agroväst.”
“There is a great deal of valuable information to be gathered. We are taking it one step at a time,” says Hugo Eke-Göransson.
Collaboration
The collaboration with Agtech Sweden and Linköping University began as early as 2012. It has involved several aspects of the technology, including individual animal identification. Business development activities and patent processes have also been carried out in collaboration with Agtech Sweden.
