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ARS Home » Plains Area » Clay Center, Nebraska » U.S. Meat Animal Research Center » Nutrition, Growth and Physiology » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #322046
Title: Determination of piglet location in farrowing crates based on depth and digital images

Author
item LAO, FENGDAN - China Agricultural University
item STINN, JOHN - Iowa Select Farms
item XIN, HONGWEI - Iowa State University
item Brown-Brandl, Tami
item LIU, K - Iowa State University

Submitted to: European Conference on Precision Agriculture Proceedings
Publication Type: Proceedings
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/19/2015
Publication Date: 8/1/2015
Citation: Lao, F., Stinn, J.P., Xin, H., Brown-Brandl, T.M., Liu, K. 2015. Determination of piglet location in farrowing crates based on depth and digital images. In: Guarino, M., Berckmans, D., editors. Precision Livestock Farming '15, September 15-18, 2015, Milan, Italy. p. 563-573.

Interpretive Summary: Today in the USA, 15.5% of piglets are lost before weaning, 60% of those piglets are lost due to crushing. A method of evaluating piglet location and sow posture was developed and validated. Each farrowing crate was equipped with one suspended heat lamp as the localized heat source for the piglets on one side of the sow. Digital and depth images of the sows and litters were collected, processed and analyzed using an algorithm developed using Matlab image processing toolbox. The results of the algorithm were compared against visual observation to ensure accurate detection. The preliminary results indicate that piglets spend a greater amount of time on the sow’s udder side when the udder is facing the heat lamp (82.2% udder side vs. 17.8% backside) as compared to when her back is facing the heat lamp (40.5% udder side vs. 59.5% backside). More data needs to be collected, but this may be an indication that two heat lamps may be needed.

Technical Abstract: Understanding and properly managing behavioral responses of prewean piglets to the farrowing environment can improve well-being and pre-weaning performance of the piglets. This paper aims to quantify piglet location in the farrowing crate as affected by the lactating sow’s lying posture. Each farrowing crate was equipped with one suspended heat lamp as the localized heat source for the piglets on one side of the sow. Digital and depth images of the sows and litters were collected, processed and analyzed to address the objective. The preliminary results reveal that piglets spend a greater amount of time on the sow's udder side when the udders are facing the heat lamp (82.2% udder side vs. 17.8% backside) as compared to when her back is facing the heat lamp (40.5% udder side vs. 59.5% backside). Data collection and analysis are continuing and enhanced results will be reported in the foreseeable future.