How digitalization at the pig farm benefits the animals and consumers
Reducing the use of antibiotics and other medications significantly in pig farming benefits not only the animals and their breeders but also the consumers. The Swiss pig farmers’ associations have taken a number of measures to achieve this. These include software records precisely when and how much medication each animal has had. This is done to prevent the pigs from being given too many or too high a dosage of antibiotics. Sounds good in theory, but there was a problem in practice: Few pig farmers have a laptop at hand while they are working in the barn, and certainly not a PC. A stable data connection also isn’t a given.
“We desperately needed a solution that would make our system available out at the pig farm.”
Jürg Moll, CEO, Qualitas AG
Our solution: A smartphone app
We developed a solution together with Qualitas AG, which oversees the Swiss farmers’ associations: a smart mobile app that is optimized for use in farms. In the treatment journal, the pig farmers can note which animals were treated with which medication at what time and why. In the medications tab, the medications needed for treatment can be recorded, with a running overview of inventory. What makes it special: The app can also be used without a data connection. The entries are stored and sent automatically once the smartphone has a signal again.
Everyone benefits: Animals, farmers, consumers
The solution offers an array of benefits. There is less strain and stress on the animals. They only get as much medication as they really need. This saves the farmer costs by minimizing how much medication is used. It also benefits consumers: They get more natural food, as strict guidelines must be adhered to in pig farming.
About Qualitas AG
Qualitas AG, based in Zug, operates IT (databases, websites and printing) for numerous Swiss farmers’ associations. Qualitas also manages the development and completion of breeding evaluation and genomic selection of all Swiss cattle breeding organizations, the Swiss milk sheep breeders’ association and the Swiss goat breeders’ association.
