Bayer introduces sow health smartphone app
The app, BCS SowDition, enables farmers to make better management decisions of their herds by using a four-step scoring system.
With BCS SowDition, visual subjectivity of body condition scoring is minimised with a simple photo-and-line fit system, allowing for accurate and standardised assessment of individual sows.
The scoring comprises a series of visual evaluations associated with finger or hand pressure at specific body areas (such as the pelvis), in order to determine fat deposits in these animals. Sows are classified according to a score range, traditionally 1 to 5, with 1 being a thin sow and 5 an overweight sow.
According to Bayer, body condition scoring of sows is a commonly practised and accepted indicator of health, wellbeing and fertility.
Bayer believes the BCS SowDition will allow farmers to address challenges of accurately scoring herds.
“Maintaining optimal sow body condition is a vital part of good herd health, wellbeing and management,” said Bayer’s head of species for animal health Octavio Orlovsky Eckhardt.
“Through BCS SowDition, we optimise mobile technology to offer farmers a practical tool that enables them to easily achieve accurate body condition scoring of sows and to adjust management practices as needed. More informed management decisions benefit pig health and wellbeing, as well as the farm.”
Businesses across the international meat sector have previously used smartphone technology to manage animals more efficiently.
Hungarian start-up business Agroninja developed a smartphone application that could weigh livestock by simply taking a photograph.
