1. Improving pig system performance through a whole system approach (PigSys)
Barbara Sturm

2. Consortium

3. Associate Partners

4. Project description  

5. Project description  
Whole system model of energy and mass flows, and decision support system (DSS)
System performance evaluation
Measurement and control devices
Improved barn climate control
Improved animal welfare and performance
‘big data’ analysis to support barn and control system design
Strategies to reduce NH3 and fouling in barn
LCA and LCCA
Animal-technology-sustainability interactions

6. Preliminary results Prototype of data warehouse is live
Animal and system models are combined (Thermipig)
On farm data is continuously acquired
Problems with access to data
Conditions within single rooms vary greatly
Algorithms for behavioural detection are functional
NH3 reduction strategies are realized
LCA framework is functional
Extensive stakeholder network estabilished

7. Preliminary results: DSS base structure

8. Preliminary results: THERMIPIG
Average temperature measured in the room (daily T) compared to upper (UCT) and lower (LCT) critical temperature related to average daily body weight of pigs.

9. Preliminary results: Distributed sensor setup and image processing (Deep learning)  
Door
Windows

10. Preliminary results: Showering
Showering the pigs with low-pressure water sprinklers above the slatted area change the pig behaviour, reduces the pen fouling and decrease NH3 emissions.

11. Developing a system model of mass and energy flows and DSS
Contribution to SusAn research objectives : Which is the contribution of your research to SusAn objectives  
Developed to underpin a sustainable improvement in system performance by:
Developing a system model of mass and energy flows and DSS
Developing of novel building climate control systems
Developing sensor technology to evaluate animal welfare and system performance, alarm system
Knowledge exchange between project partners and stakeholders

12. Increased animal welfare and performance Increased sustainability
Research Impact on the 3 pillars of sustainability: Does the project adequately address the different pillars? How do the different pillars contribute to the aim of your project?  
Increased animal welfare and performance
Automated observation, welfare based climate control
Increased sustainability
Increased productivity and feed efficiency
Optimized climate control
Reduced emissions, waste and carbon footprint
Increased feed efficiency
Reduced NH3 and CO2 concentrations
Increased competitiveness of the sector
Optimized processes, increased production efficiency
Improved public perception of the sector
Increased animal welfare, increased sustainability

13. Research Impact on the 3 pillars of sustainability: How relevant are the links made between the pillars?  
The developed DSS and real-time data analysis, modeling and reporting help to improve system performance, energy efficiency and waste management
Building performance models are improving economic, environmental and welfare aspects of the animals
Automatic image processing, monitoring, control and early warning systems helps to improve animal welfare and farm management
The LCA models help to assess the impact of proposed changes in the system regarding environmental impacts

14. Transnational collaboration: What is the added value of transnational collaboration?  
Development of robust building and climate models based on the sensor-supported data of the various EU countries.
Knowledge transfer between academic and industrial partners of the involved countries.
Moving to develop smart infrastructure for the future European farming by developing data warehouse.

15. The DSS can be implemented in other agricultural and faming operation
Transnational collaboration: Is the transnational collaboration beneficial for broad implementation of the results?  
The DSS can be implemented in other agricultural and faming operation
The developed climate control system has the possibility to be used in other livestock farming through the EU and globally
The machine vision based monitoring and control system might be implement in the strengthening of the home-based meat production sectors to underpin food security and trackability

16. Actor data base for all partner countries Active involvement
Multi actor approach: Is there a strategy to involve relevant stakeholders?  
Actor data base for all partner countries
Active involvement
5 commercial farms in 3 countries (DE, DK, SE)
4 technology providers in 3 countries (FR, DE, UK)
 advise on development and implementation
Close contact to relevant associations
Stakeholders
Training course for the end users
Development of training material, and the conduction of seminar or workshops.

17. Technological findings and developments are validated on 7 farms
Multi actor approach: Are research outcomes validated under practical conditions along the whole value added chain?  
Data warehouse and modelling functions are validated using real data from partner farms
Technological developments are co-created with the relevant stakeholders
Technological findings and developments are validated on 7 farms
5 commercial farms (DE, DK, SE)
2 research farms (FR)
LCA and LCCA are based on data from partner farms

18. Different group, room and farm sizes are investigated
Cross-scale approach: In how far does it make sense in the particular research project to target the different levels? How relevant are the interactions seen between the levels?  
Different group, room and farm sizes are investigated
Results are relevant across scales
Great opportunities for the use of developed technologies
Low cost visual remote solution
Low cost multi-sensor array for climate condition measurement

19. Knowledge gathered is relevant across scales
Cross-scale approach: Which is the Impact of the project in terms of knowledge acquisition?  
Knowledge gathered is relevant across scales
Opportunities and challenges for different farm types, sizes and locations are evaluated
Challenges for animal welfare are addressed, including technology-animal interactions
System approach is applicable to other species

20. Preliminary agreements for exploitation of main system exist
Dissemination and communication strategy: Is there strategy for exploiting the potential of the projects results?  
Active involvement of commercial farms and technology providers in developments
Preliminary agreements for exploitation of main system exist
Visual and multi-sensor systems are planned to be marketed by the inventors (LLU, Uni Kassel)
Project results in terms of non-marketable findings are widely disseminated (e.g. Euro Tier 2018)
Creating of training materials for farmers
Collaboration between SusPig, SusPigSys and PigSys projects in a special issue of the journal “sustainability”

21. All publications are made available gold open access
Dissemination and communication strategy: Do you disseminate the projects results via Open Data?  
All publications are made available gold open access
Non-sensitive research data
Project website
Research Gate (RG)
Regular updates on project website and RG
Stakeholder seminars and trainings
Press articles in local newspapers, scientific papers and presentations

22. Thank you! Questions?