Pig farming

Animal health comes first

For the participating farms, improving animal health is at the top of their list of priorities. Stable animal health not only has a positive effect on animal welfare and actively contributes to meeting social demands. Good animal health also means less personnel and economic expenditure for livestock farms and, at the same time, improved performance and thus a valuable contribution to economic efficiency in very challenging times. Among other things, improving the barn climate and needs-based feeding have a positive effect on animal health – both aspects were considered important by the respondents. The latter enables farms to save on feed costs while improving the nutrient balance. 

Biosecurity and hygiene remain a key area of innovation

Improvements in biosecurity and hygiene are also highly rated. Against the backdrop of animal diseases and stricter requirements for the health status of livestock, this area remains a key focus.

Desire for improved work organization and data management reflects high pressure

Improvements in work organization, herd management, and animal observation are also high on the agenda. These results reflect increasing work pressure and a growing shortage of skilled workers. Innovations that simplify, automate, or make work processes more transparent are therefore seen as a key lever for securing the future of farms.

Improving data management (Ø 1.93) occupies a firm place in the upper midfield. This illustrates that digital solutions are increasingly understood as a necessary basis for sound decisions, documentation requirements, and operational optimization. At the same time, the evaluation shows that the benefits of digitalization are seen above all when it is practical and delivers concrete added value for management, animal welfare, or efficiency.

Conclusion: Farms are looking for solutions to remain operational

The results thus reflect the current situation in pig farming: Farms are primarily looking for realistic, economically viable solutions to remain operational under difficult conditions while meeting increasing requirements.