Use of information from monitoring and decision support systems in pig production: collection, applications and expected benefits

This article reviews the use of information from animal-based monitoring systems, management information systems (MIS) and decision support systems (DSS) in pig production. As technology evolves, more and new types of data can be automatically collected. This increases the pace at which new systems are being developed. The collected data are processed into information, which should be used at the herd level. As these systems are being developed, there is a need to evaluate the value of the information provided to the user. In this review, the concepts of data and information are first described, as well as the factors influencing the value of information, as e.g. measuring devices and data/information processing. Then, after presenting the technologies and recordings for obtaining data used in the studies included in this article, the value of information of the systems are reviewed according to their expected benefits in term of production and management, animal health and welfare, and economical impact. The aim and value of DSS and other MIS are thereafter reviewed. Few studies have evaluated the economical benefits of using technologies to obtain new information, in terms of number of piglets or economical value. To quantify the value of information, it is suggested to develop a model frame with a detailed level of information, which allows to estimate the value of including or excluding one piece of information. A more precise quantification of the value, and benefits, of information can in the future assist the development of more focused systems, which implementation may be facilitated by reducing the uncertainty of the payback period.