Fancom research department makes measuring animal welfare a fact
Fancom's Research Group is lead by Prof. Dr. Erik Vranken. In international collaboration with various research institutes they perform research. One of their objectives is making animal welfare quantifiable.
As from 1 January the research team at Fancom has been joined by Eric Bongaerts. In international collaboration with various research institutes they perform research and translate the results into affordable and reliable biometric systems to observe animal behaviour and the production process in the house. One of their objectives is making animal welfare quantifiable.
In their research they apply the ‘Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) model. This model concentrates on predicting the expected animal behaviour. By continually comparing the predictions with the measurement any abnormal behaviour can be detected early on. The research strategy is split into 4 basic stages. It goes without saying that members of the research team regularly visit the houses with the animals.
1. Developing sensors and monitoring techniques in order to continually measure the bio-response (monitor)
2. Developing analysis tools to compare the bio-response with the predicted behaviour (model).
3. Developing tools to advise the farmer about the correct process inputs to achieve the required bio-response (control advice).
4. Developing controls for automatic regulation of the operational processes (automatic control)
When automating climate and feeding processes, it has been customary practice for years to apply advanced techniques designed to improve the process. So it is strange that when we actually assess animal welfare we still rely on subjective and incidental methods such as periodic audits in the house or even retrospective assessments in the slaughterhouse. But for accurate valuation of animal welfare it is crucial to measure on and around the animal as well as taking the environmental factors into account.
The research activities are part of Fancom’s strategy to improve processes in the house in an innovative way. For it is precisely this combination of a perfect climate, adapted feed strategy and reliable analysis of the biometric processes that opens the way to enhanced animal welfare and comfort. Only happy and contented animals give the very best results.
