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Livestock
Pig tracking app to improve operational management
SUISAG, the service partner for Swiss pig producers and international genetics customers, and Cloudfarms have introduced an innovative application of its existing production management system called the ‘Pig Passport’
The system enables breeding farms, production farms and processors to register and analyse the production data of each individual pig from birth to processing. The registered production data contains information such as the pigs genetic pedigree, feed consumption, or health information. An electronic ear tag connected to the Cloudfarms’ mobile app allows fast, reliable, and easy data entry for each pig directly in the barn. The individual animal data are made available in real-time reports through the Cloudfarms web application.
In cooperation with SUISAG, the first pig producers from Switzerland and Germany have started to test the innovative software application in their daily operations. Thereby, the Cloudfarms Mobile App is integrated into SuisDataManager, the existing reporting solution from SUISAG, which is widely used by pig producers in Switzerland.
As part of the test phase, the software application will be further customised to the pig producers’ specific needs. In the next step, SUISAG said it will make the Cloudfarms Mobile App together with the SuisDataManager available to all interested pig producers in Switzerland and Germany.
“So far, individual tracking is only common on specialised breeding farms, whereas on production farms, pigs are typically managed as groups, not as individuals. Now, each animal receives a digital “passport”, which can be used throughout the supply chain,” said Cloudfarms managing director Jens Toppenberg.
“Allowing more traceability, transparency and precision, individual management of pigs is the foundation to address key challenges of the pig industry such as food safety, animal health, efficient and sustainable production, and full transparency for consumers.”
In combination with the existing Field-to-Fork Traceability Platform from Cloudfarms, the “Pig Passport” enables integrators, pig producers, feed mills and processors to create added value along the supply chain. For example, they can track and sort individual pigs, according to parent lines or type of feed consumed. This way, Cloudfarms supports the industry in meeting the growing demand for safe and nutritious food at affordable prices, while improving operational management and reducing environmental impact.
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