Abstract:
Integrated management systems (IMS) for pig production will enable the industry to meet tight product specifications whilst satisfying society's demands to reduce the environmental impact of livestock production and improve animal welfare. An IMS is based on modern theories of process control that have been proven in other industries but have yet to be applied to pig production. Initial applications (described here) consider managing the growth of the finishing pig, and will be developed to include management of the gestating sow. In the longer term, control of environmental processes within pig housing with IMS will also be considered. These developments will undoubtedly reveal - and provide the opportunity to resolve - the conflicts between financial and environmental pressures in modern pig production. Other applications are envisaged and include active control of pig behaviour as well as disease.
