Welfare Science

Pig Welfare Monitoring Remote Sensing

Remote sensing and satellite technology are emerging tools for monitoring outdoor pig welfare at landscape scale.

Key Facts

Satellite imagery can track outdoor pig foraging behaviour and range use patterns
Aerial monitoring detects welfare problems including mortality and injury in large outdoor units
Remote temperature sensing identifies heat stress events in outdoor pig systems
Drone surveillance supports welfare inspection without requiring physical presence on farm
Integration of remote sensing with on-farm data creates comprehensive welfare monitoring systems

Welfare Considerations

Remote sensing technologies extend welfare monitoring to scales and frequencies that physical inspection cannot match. Outdoor and extensive pig systems particularly benefit from remote sensing that can cover large areas and detect problems early.

What You Can Do

Support research into remote sensing applications for pig welfare monitoring
Advocate for technology-inclusive welfare inspection frameworks
Choose outdoor pork from farms using technology to enhance welfare monitoring