Pigs are seen moving around in a shed at Piggly Farm in Pegognaga, located near Mantova in northern Italy, on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. AP photo
Scientists in Europe have created an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) program designed to understand pig sounds. This new technology aims to help farmers enhance the welfare of their pigs by providing insights into their emotional states. Elodie Mandel-Briefer, a behavioural biologist at the University of Copenhagen and a leader in the study, emphasizes that this tool could alert farmers to negative feelings in pigs, thereby promoting better care.
The research team, which includes experts from universities in Denmark, Germany, Switzerland, France, Norway, and the Czech Republic, analyzed thousands of recorded pig sounds from various situations. These scenarios included moments of play, instances of isolation, and competition for food. Through their work, they discovered that the pigs’ grunts, oinks, and squeals could express both positive and negative emotions.
While many farmers are skilled at observing their animals’ well-being by watching their behaviour in the pen, current tools primarily focus on measuring physical health. According to Mandel-Briefer, “Emotions of animals are central to their welfare, but we don’t measure it much on farms.” This lack of emotional assessment can hinder farmers’ ability to ensure the best living conditions for their livestock.
The study revealed that pigs raised in outdoor, free-range, or organic farms tend to produce fewer stress-related sounds compared to those raised in traditional farming settings. Researchers believe that the algorithm, once refined, could even be used to label farms based on the emotional health of the animals. This would empower consumers to make better-informed choices about the meat and products they purchase.
Mandel-Briefer envisions a future where farmers can easily access this technology. She explained, “Once we have the tool working, farmers can have an app on their phone that can translate what their pigs are saying in terms of emotions.” This means that farmers could gain real-time insights into their pigs’ emotional states, enhancing their care and management practices.
The research identified specific sound patterns associated with different emotions. For instance, short grunts are usually a sign of positive feelings, while longer grunts may indicate discomfort, such as when pigs jostle each other for space at a feeding trough. On the other hand, high-pitched sounds like screams or squeals typically signal stress, often arising from pain, conflict, or separation from companions.
To develop the algorithm, scientists harnessed the power of AI, which allows them to analyze vast amounts of sound data effectively. Mandel-Briefer noted, “Artificial intelligence really helps us to both process the huge amount of sounds that we get, but also to classify them automatically.” This capability enables researchers to efficiently categorize pig sounds and understand their meanings.
This groundbreaking technology represents a significant step forward in animal welfare, offering farmers a new way to enhance their practices. By understanding pig emotions better, farmers can improve the living conditions for their livestock, ultimately leading to healthier animals and better-quality products for consumers.
