IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jagris/v15y2025i9p937-d1642683.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Smart Pig Farms: Integration and Application of Digital Technologies in Pig Production

Author

Listed:
  • Katarina Marić

    (Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Kristina Gvozdanović

    (Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Ivona Djurkin Kušec

    (Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Goran Kušec

    (Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

  • Vladimir Margeta

    (Faculty of Agrobiotechnical Sciences Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Vladimira Preloga 1, 31000 Osijek, Croatia)

Abstract

The prediction that the world population will reach almost 10 billion people by 2050 means an increase in pork production is required. Efforts to meet increased demand have made pig production one of the most technologically advanced branches of production and one which is growing continuously. Precision Livestock Production (PLF) is an increasingly widespread model in pig farming and describes a management system based on the continuous automatic monitoring and control of production, reproduction, animal health and welfare in real time, as well as the impact of animal husbandry on the environment. Today, a wide range of technologies is available, such as 2D and 3D cameras to assess body weight, behavior and activity, thermal imaging cameras to monitor body temperatures and determine estrus, microphones to monitor vocalizations, various measuring cells to monitor food intake, body weight and weight gain, and many others. By combining and applying the available technologies, it is possible to obtain a variety of data that allow livestock farmers to automatically monitor animals and improve pig health and welfare as well as environmental sustainability. Nevertheless, PLF systems need further research to improve the technologies and create cheap and affordable but accurate models to ensure progress in pig production.

Suggested Citation

  • Katarina Marić & Kristina Gvozdanović & Ivona Djurkin Kušec & Goran Kušec & Vladimir Margeta, 2025. "Smart Pig Farms: Integration and Application of Digital Technologies in Pig Production," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:9:p:937-:d:1642683
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/9/937/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0472/15/9/937/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Kennedy Ndue & Goda Pál, 2022. "Life Cycle Assessment Perspective for Sectoral Adaptation to Climate Change: Environmental Impact Assessment of Pig Production," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-17, May.
    2. Kaidong Lei & Xiangfang Tang & Xiaoli Li & Qinggen Lu & Teng Long & Xinghang Zhang & Benhai Xiong, 2024. "Research and Preliminary Evaluation of Key Technologies for 3D Reconstruction of Pig Bodies Based on 3D Point Clouds," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-12, May.
    3. Verdouw, Cor & Tekinerdogan, Bedir & Beulens, Adrie & Wolfert, Sjaak, 2021. "Digital twins in smart farming," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    4. Carlos Alejandro Perez Garcia & Marco Bovo & Daniele Torreggiani & Patrizia Tassinari & Stefano Benni, 2024. "Indoor Temperature Forecasting in Livestock Buildings: A Data-Driven Approach," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-14, February.
    5. Athanasios Balafoutis & Bert Beck & Spyros Fountas & Jurgen Vangeyte & Tamme Van der Wal & Iria Soto & Manuel Gómez-Barbero & Andrew Barnes & Vera Eory, 2017. "Precision Agriculture Technologies Positively Contributing to GHG Emissions Mitigation, Farm Productivity and Economics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-28, July.
    6. Stefan J. Hörtenhuber & Günther Schauberger & Christian Mikovits & Martin Schönhart & Johannes Baumgartner & Knut Niebuhr & Martin Piringer & Ivonne Anders & Konrad Andre & Isabel Hennig-Pauka & Werne, 2020. "The Effect of Climate Change-Induced Temperature Increase on Performance and Environmental Impact of Intensive Pig Production Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-17, November.
    7. Henrich Thölke & Petra Wolf, 2022. "Economic Advantages of Individual Animal Identification in Fattening Pigs," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(2), pages 1-16, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Gackstetter, David & von Bloh, Malte & Hannus, Veronika & Meyer, Sebastian T. & Weisser, Wolfgang & Luksch, Claudia & Asseng, Senthold, 2023. "Autonomous field management – An enabler of sustainable future in agriculture," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    2. da Silveira, Franco & da Silva, Sabrina Letícia Couto & Machado, Filipe Molinar & Barbedo, Jayme Garcia Arnal & Amaral, Fernando Gonçalves, 2023. "Farmers' perception of the barriers that hinder the implementation of agriculture 4.0," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    3. Maurizio Cutini & Carlo Bisaglia & Massimo Brambilla & Andrea Bragaglio & Federico Pallottino & Alberto Assirelli & Elio Romano & Alessandro Montaghi & Elisabetta Leo & Marco Pezzola & Claudio Maroni , 2023. "A Co-Simulation Virtual Reality Machinery Simulator for Advanced Precision Agriculture Applications," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(8), pages 1-21, August.
    4. Xiuli Zhang & Yikun Pei & Yong Chen & Qianglong Song & Peilin Zhou & Yueqing Xia & Xiaochan Liu, 2022. "The Design and Experiment of Vertical Variable Cavity Base Fertilizer Fertilizing Apparatus," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-15, October.
    5. Uztürk, Deniz & Büyüközkan, Gülçin, 2022. "Smart Agriculture Technology Evaluation: A Linguistic-based MCDM Methodology," Land, Farm & Agribusiness Management Department 337128, Harper Adams University, Land, Farm & Agribusiness Management Department.
    6. Editors: & Jones, J. & O’Hara, J. K., 2023. "Marginal Abatement Cost Curves for Greenhouse Gas Mitigation on U.S. Farms and Ranches (Updated)," USDA Miscellaneous 349144, United States Department of Agriculture.
    7. Pomi Shahbaz & Shamsheer ul Haq & Azhar Abbas & Zahira Batool & Bader Alhafi Alotaibi & Roshan K. Nayak, 2022. "Adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices through Women Involvement in Decision Making Process: Exploring the Role of Empowerment and Innovativeness," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-16, August.
    8. Adamashvili Nino & Fiore Mariantonietta & Contò Francesco & La Sala Piermichele, 2020. "Ecosystem for Successful Agriculture. Collaborative Approach as a Driver for Agricultural Development," European Countryside, Sciendo, vol. 12(2), pages 242-256, June.
    9. Zhao Xue & Jun Fu & Qiankun Fu & Xiaokang Li & Zhi Chen, 2023. "Modeling and Optimizing the Performance of Green Forage Maize Harvester Header Using a Combined Response Surface Methodology–Artificial Neural Network Approach," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(10), pages 1-16, September.
    10. Stefania Troiano & Matteo Carzedda & Francesco Marangon, 2023. "Better richer than environmentally friendly? Describing preferences toward and factors affecting precision agriculture adoption in Italy," Agricultural and Food Economics, Springer;Italian Society of Agricultural Economics (SIDEA), vol. 11(1), pages 1-15, December.
    11. Balaine, Lorraine & Dillon, Emma J. & Läpple, Doris & Lynch, John, 2020. "Can technology help achieve sustainable intensification? Evidence from milk recording on Irish dairy farms," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 92(C).
    12. J Blasch & B van der Kroon & P van Beukering & R Munster & S Fabiani & P Nino & S Vanino, 2022. "Farmer preferences for adopting precision farming technologies: a case study from Italy," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 49(1), pages 33-81.
    13. Kaikang Chen & Yanwei Yuan & Bo Zhao & Liming Zhou & Kang Niu & Xin Jin & Shengbo Gao & Ruoshi Li & Hao Guo & Yongjun Zheng, 2023. "Digital Twins and Data-Driven in Plant Factory: An Online Monitoring Method for Vibration Evaluation and Transplanting Quality Analysis," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-18, May.
    14. Solinas, Stefania & Tiloca, Maria Teresa & Deligios, Paola A. & Cossu, Marco & Ledda, Luigi, 2021. "Carbon footprints and social carbon cost assessments in a perennial energy crop system: A comparison of fertilizer management practices in a Mediterranean area," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    15. Rizwana Yasmeen & Ihtsham Ul Haq Padda & Xing Yao & Wasi Ul Hassan Shah & Muhammad Hafeez, 2022. "Agriculture, forestry, and environmental sustainability: the role of institutions," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 24(6), pages 8722-8746, June.
    16. Veronika Hannus & Johannes Sauer, 2021. "Understanding Farmers’ Intention to Use a Sustainability Standard: The Role of Economic Rewards, Knowledge, and Ease of Use," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(19), pages 1-21, September.
    17. Prabhu Pingali & Mathew Abraham, 2022. "Food systems transformation in Asia – A brief economic history," Agricultural Economics, International Association of Agricultural Economists, vol. 53(6), pages 895-910, November.
    18. Ajwal Dsouza & Gordon W. Price & Mike Dixon & Thomas Graham, 2021. "A Conceptual Framework for Incorporation of Composting in Closed-Loop Urban Controlled Environment Agriculture," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-27, February.
    19. Magor Ors KOLLO & Vincentiu-Andrei VERES & Maria MORTAN, 2025. "From Perception to Practice: Drone Technology in Romanian Agriculture," Management and Economics Review, Faculty of Management, Academy of Economic Studies, Bucharest, Romania, vol. 10(1), pages 5-21, February.
    20. Ahmad Ali Hakam Dani & Suhono Harso Supangkat & Fetty Fitriyanti Lubis & I Gusti Bagus Baskara Nugraha & Rezky Kinanda & Irma Rizkia, 2023. "Development of a Smart City Platform Based on Digital Twin Technology for Monitoring and Supporting Decision-Making," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(18), pages 1-18, September.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:15:y:2025:i:9:p:937-:d:1642683. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.