Precision livestock farming technologies including sensors, cameras, and algorithms offer new tools for continuous monitoring of pig welfare indicators on large commercial farms.
Commercial pig farms house thousands of animals where daily individual assessment is practically impossible for farm staff. Precision livestock farming technologies can fill this gap by providing continuous monitoring that catches welfare problems earlier than periodic human inspection. Earlier detection of disease, pain, and behavioral abnormality directly reduces the duration of suffering. However, technology supplements rather than replaces competent animal observation by trained staff. The welfare benefit depends on rapid and appropriate response when alerts are generated, not merely the existence of monitoring systems.