This document discusses precision farming applied to intensive livestock production through real-time monitoring and control of production to maximize output while minimizing inputs and waste. The author details their precision farming system designed for pigs at their farm called Target Hill, which uses computerized liquid feeding, automatic weighing and sorting of pigs into groups, and real-time monitoring of growth parameters to precisely feed each group according to their needs. The goal is to optimize growth and profitability by precisely meeting each pig's nutritional requirements as their weight changes over time.

1. Precision FarmingPrecision Farming
““A Producers Perspective 02-08”A Producers Perspective 02-08”
Greg Ludvigsen.Greg Ludvigsen.

2. Precision FarmingPrecision Farming
Precision farming applied to IntensivePrecision farming applied to Intensive
Livestock production is simply farmingLivestock production is simply farming
more precisely through monitoring andmore precisely through monitoring and
controlling production in Real-Timecontrolling production in Real-Time
Maximize production while minimizingMaximize production while minimizing
inputs and waste to produce exactly whatinputs and waste to produce exactly what
the consumer wants.the consumer wants.
It is the future of agriculture. If you don’tIt is the future of agriculture. If you don’t
adopt it, and soon, you will struggle toadopt it, and soon, you will struggle to
compete in the next decade.compete in the next decade.

3. Precision FarmingPrecision Farming
I designed Target Hill in 2002 withI designed Target Hill in 2002 with
Precision Farming technologies in mind.Precision Farming technologies in mind.
We planned to eventually automaticallyWe planned to eventually automatically
monitor each key parameter in real timemonitor each key parameter in real time
and take corrective action in real timeand take corrective action in real time
without human intervention.without human intervention.
We planned to do it simply and efficientlyWe planned to do it simply and efficiently
by linking existing technologiesby linking existing technologies

4. Precision FarmingPrecision Farming
Precision Farming is talked about aroundPrecision Farming is talked about around
the world by the pig industry.the world by the pig industry.
It is a popular topic of discussion by ourIt is a popular topic of discussion by our
friends and associates in the USA, UK andfriends and associates in the USA, UK and
Europe.Europe.
We hope the Intellectual PropertyWe hope the Intellectual Property
generated at this site can still have greatgenerated at this site can still have great
benefits to the world pig industrybenefits to the world pig industry

5. Precision Farming at Target HillPrecision Farming at Target Hill

6. Precision Farming at Target HillPrecision Farming at Target Hill
Each building is designed for 1200 pigsEach building is designed for 1200 pigs
born on the same day.born on the same day.
Computerized, demand (ad-lib) andComputerized, demand (ad-lib) and
phased liquid feedingphased liquid feeding
Fully slatted floorFully slatted floor
Tunnel ventilated (temperature controlled)Tunnel ventilated (temperature controlled)
Computerized auto weigh- auto sortComputerized auto weigh- auto sort
Auto dialer for alerting staff of alarmsAuto dialer for alerting staff of alarms

7. Precision Farming at Target HillPrecision Farming at Target Hill
Pigs arrived at 10 weeks of age and variedPigs arrived at 10 weeks of age and varied
from 25-35kg because of two differentfrom 25-35kg because of two different
weaning accommodationsweaning accommodations
After 5 days training pigs sortedAfter 5 days training pigs sorted
themselves into five weight based groupsthemselves into five weight based groups
Weighed themselves 3 times per day asWeighed themselves 3 times per day as
they went to feedthey went to feed
Fed according to weight not ageFed according to weight not age

8. Pen design at Target HillPen design at Target Hill
We developed pen design on observingWe developed pen design on observing
pig behaviour.pig behaviour.
• Large group size (100) eliminatesLarge group size (100) eliminates
hierarchy aggression on mixinghierarchy aggression on mixing
• Pigs are intelligent and will quickly workPigs are intelligent and will quickly work
out path to feedout path to feed
• Pigs can be attracted to feed area andPigs can be attracted to feed area and
lying areas by clever designlying areas by clever design

9. Pen design at Target HillPen design at Target Hill
• Weigh/sort scales are a fear pointWeigh/sort scales are a fear point
• Forcing pigs through weigh sort scales isForcing pigs through weigh sort scales is
counter productivecounter productive
• Let them teach themselves beforeLet them teach themselves before
system turned onsystem turned on
• Feed is reward for navigating scale.Feed is reward for navigating scale.
• Navigating path to feed is enrichingNavigating path to feed is enriching
behaviourbehaviour

10. Pen design at Target HillPen design at Target Hill
• Large pen size allows pigs to exhibitLarge pen size allows pigs to exhibit
normal behavioursnormal behaviours
• Choose their preferred laying area (cooler,Choose their preferred laying area (cooler,
warmer, less traffic)warmer, less traffic)
• Avoid aggressive pen matesAvoid aggressive pen mates

12. Pen layoutPen layout
Runt
(free
access)
SmallMedium
Light
Heavy
Medium
Heavy/
Market
Preferred layout of a 1200-head barn.Preferred layout of a 1200-head barn.
Three 2-way Auto Weigh Sorters, freeThree 2-way Auto Weigh Sorters, free
access runt pen, minimal space feed courtaccess runt pen, minimal space feed court

15. VariationVariation
The following histogram drawn by theThe following histogram drawn by the
Osborne scale daily shows the variationOsborne scale daily shows the variation
between two pens sharing the same weighbetween two pens sharing the same weigh
scale.scale.
It demonstrates how little variation we hadIt demonstrates how little variation we had
between pensbetween pens
The couple of outliers needed to beThe couple of outliers needed to be
shiftedshifted

17. Entrance to scaleEntrance to scale

18. Conventional pig nutritionConventional pig nutrition
In normal pig production the nutrition of everyIn normal pig production the nutrition of every
growing pig is compromised along its growthgrowing pig is compromised along its growth
curve.curve.
Typical feed regimes involve stepped diets fedTypical feed regimes involve stepped diets fed
to an entire group of pigs for a 2-4 week periodto an entire group of pigs for a 2-4 week period
based on their age which is used as an estimatebased on their age which is used as an estimate
of weight.of weight.
There is a huge variation of weight (& thereforeThere is a huge variation of weight (& therefore
nutritional requirement) in pigs of the same age.nutritional requirement) in pigs of the same age.
The result is excess fat, wasted energy, slowThe result is excess fat, wasted energy, slow
growth, environmental issues and loss of profitgrowth, environmental issues and loss of profit

19. Feeding philosophyFeeding philosophy
Pigs traditionally fed according to agePigs traditionally fed according to age
compromise every pig throughout thecompromise every pig throughout the
growth phase and sends excess nutrientgrowth phase and sends excess nutrient
into effluent streams.into effluent streams.
Also accentuates VARIATION and causesAlso accentuates VARIATION and causes
SORT LOSS at sale.SORT LOSS at sale.
Consider pigs have normal distribution ofConsider pigs have normal distribution of
weightweight

21. Feeding philosophyFeeding philosophy
We wanted to feed every pig according toWe wanted to feed every pig according to
their weighttheir weight
Therefore we needed to be able to feedTherefore we needed to be able to feed
each pen a different diet that could beeach pen a different diet that could be
automatically changed each day as theirautomatically changed each day as their
weight increased. And we wanted to doweight increased. And we wanted to do
this with liquid feeding for all its extrathis with liquid feeding for all its extra
benefits.benefits.

22. Feeding philosophyFeeding philosophy
We designed a two feed philosophy whereWe designed a two feed philosophy where
different combinations of the two feedsdifferent combinations of the two feeds
could be supplied as the pigs gainedcould be supplied as the pigs gained
weightweight
Feed A designed for the lightest pigsFeed A designed for the lightest pigs
Feed B designed for the heaviest pigsFeed B designed for the heaviest pigs
All pigs fed the combination of A & BAll pigs fed the combination of A & B
correct for their weightcorrect for their weight

23. Feed KitchenFeed Kitchen

25. Survey ScaleSurvey Scale

26. Entrance to survey scaleEntrance to survey scale

27. Precision FarmingPrecision Farming
Under our Precision Farming model we wereUnder our Precision Farming model we were
able to monitor growth and have the pigs sortable to monitor growth and have the pigs sort
themselves into fast growers (20%), standardthemselves into fast growers (20%), standard
growers (70%) and slow growers (10%) usinggrowers (70%) and slow growers (10%) using
the Osborne Auto-Weigh/Sort scale.the Osborne Auto-Weigh/Sort scale.
Our Hampshire Liquid Phase Feeding systemOur Hampshire Liquid Phase Feeding system
then allowed us to feed each group the correctthen allowed us to feed each group the correct
feed and energy ration for their weight.feed and energy ration for their weight.
The average weight of each group was collectedThe average weight of each group was collected
daily and was used to correct the feed mix to suitdaily and was used to correct the feed mix to suit
the average weight of each groupthe average weight of each group

28. Precision FarmingPrecision Farming
The other key parameters of growth andThe other key parameters of growth and
profit are temperature, humidity, CO2,profit are temperature, humidity, CO2,
NH3, wind speed, dust.NH3, wind speed, dust.
We planned to monitor these in real timeWe planned to monitor these in real time
to drive the ventilation controller to helpto drive the ventilation controller to help
bring these parameters to the optimum forbring these parameters to the optimum for
pig comfort and growthpig comfort and growth

30. Growth patternsGrowth patterns
The graph in the previous slide was aThe graph in the previous slide was a
constant in our piggery.constant in our piggery.
The lighter pigs grew at the same rate asThe lighter pigs grew at the same rate as
the medium and fast growing pigs EVERYthe medium and fast growing pigs EVERY
TIME.TIME.
Runts at arrival lost pot belly and hairinessRunts at arrival lost pot belly and hairiness
in 7 days on higher ration proving runtsin 7 days on higher ration proving runts
are simply suffering malnutrition on ageare simply suffering malnutrition on age
based dietsbased diets

31. Precision MarketingPrecision Marketing
Marketing animals at the correct weightMarketing animals at the correct weight
and P2 is necessary to achieve theand P2 is necessary to achieve the
optimum grid priceoptimum grid price
Continuous passive weigh-sorting allowedContinuous passive weigh-sorting allowed
pigs to be sold at precise weights topigs to be sold at precise weights to
minimize sort-loss (over and underminimize sort-loss (over and under
weights) and minimize days on feedweights) and minimize days on feed
Avoiding pigs in penalty has a hugeAvoiding pigs in penalty has a huge
impact on your bottom lineimpact on your bottom line

33. Precision MarketingPrecision Marketing
The accuracy of having 95% of all pigs inThe accuracy of having 95% of all pigs in
a 5kg range marketed every time hasa 5kg range marketed every time has
huge implications for the bottom line of ahuge implications for the bottom line of a
piggery and its processorpiggery and its processor
Our system involved no human labour.Our system involved no human labour.
We simply emptied the market pen on theWe simply emptied the market pen on the
truck, reset the sort weight on the scaletruck, reset the sort weight on the scale
and 4 hours later pigs for next marketand 4 hours later pigs for next market
were waiting to gowere waiting to go

34. Data collectionData collection
We set up spreadsheet to produce ADG,We set up spreadsheet to produce ADG,
Feed conversion for each batch.Feed conversion for each batch.
Our vision was to have this process built inOur vision was to have this process built in
to the intelligent control of AUSPIGto the intelligent control of AUSPIG

35. FEED CONSUMPTION BOTH TANKS
TROUGH KG LIQUID FEED KG DRY MATTER
36 36381 7680
35 17310 3654
34 51748 10925
33 19635 4145
32 12803 2703
31 24902 5257
30 54418 11488
29 37123 7837
28 12669 2675
TOTAL: 266989 56364
Get KG Liquid Feed from Pen data (Total Both Tanks) after shed close-out
Feed conversion ratio 2.07
CALCULATING AVERAGE DAILY GAIN
Average Date In 10-Dec
Average Date Sold 26-Jan
Average Days to Sale 47
Gm/Day
Average Daily Gain 747
PORK ROYAL BATCH: 39
No. pigs in
LW Weight Start
kg Avg LW In
771 22797 29.56
No. Deaths Weight deaths kg Avg Wt Dead
43 800
No.
Remaining Est LW to Sell kg*
Avg LW Pigs
Remaining
0 0 0
number sold LW weight Sold kg Avg LW Pigs Sold
728 49239 67.6
*Get Avg LW Pigs Remaining from Market Scale in Daily One Weigh
Software
Live Weight Gain 27242
Feed Recipe KG
Meal** 190
Water** 710
Recipe %DM 4.7368
** Get from Hampshire Feed Manager

37. Precision FarmingPrecision Farming
Each equipment controller was connectedEach equipment controller was connected
to a central PC with Remote Access.to a central PC with Remote Access.
We could access our farm from anywhereWe could access our farm from anywhere
in the world with Internet accessin the world with Internet access
If we had a breakdown an alarm outputIf we had a breakdown an alarm output
triggered an auto-dialer to ring a string oftriggered an auto-dialer to ring a string of
peoplepeople

38. Precision Farming - The Next StepPrecision Farming - The Next Step
Develop a Central Data WarehouseDevelop a Central Data Warehouse
collecting & processing live data fromcollecting & processing live data from
each equipment controller so that alleach equipment controller so that all
production parameters can be measuredproduction parameters can be measured
& adjusted& adjusted
““Auspig” to be developed into a Real TimeAuspig” to be developed into a Real Time
Decision Maker to monitor and controlDecision Maker to monitor and control
these production parameters based onthese production parameters based on
economics and best scienceeconomics and best science

39. Precision Farming - The Next StepPrecision Farming - The Next Step
Incorporate post production data (ieIncorporate post production data (ie
Carcass Data & Traits, FCR) and haveCarcass Data & Traits, FCR) and have
that change the diet to influencethat change the diet to influence
production parameters.production parameters.
Extend into farrowingExtend into farrowing
Extend into weaningExtend into weaning

41. Weaner accommodationWeaner accommodation

42. Weaner AccommodationWeaner Accommodation
Plastic floor, no dungPlastic floor, no dung
Temperature controlled (28c)Temperature controlled (28c)
Feeders, water everywhereFeeders, water everywhere
Large groups (>100) reduce fighting onLarge groups (>100) reduce fighting on
mixing and the group remains stable.mixing and the group remains stable.
Freedom of movement, able to chooseFreedom of movement, able to choose
their own environmenttheir own environment

43. Weaner Precision FarmingWeaner Precision Farming
Towards the end we saw the need toTowards the end we saw the need to
extend Precision feeding to our weaners.extend Precision feeding to our weaners.
We divided them into three weight groupsWe divided them into three weight groups
Large, medium and smallLarge, medium and small
We fed them according to their weight andWe fed them according to their weight and
experienced similar improvement.experienced similar improvement.
We did not use weigh sort but simplyWe did not use weigh sort but simply
formed groups of 300-750-300formed groups of 300-750-300

44. Weaner House SocomWeaner House Socom