Abstract
Fattening pig husbandry and associated negative environmental impacts due to nitrogen inputs by ammonia emissions are current issues of social discussion. New resource-efficient feeding systems offer great potential to reduce excess nutrient inputs into the environment. Using ultrasound measurements, fattening pigs can be divided into performance groups based on their backfat/muscle ratio to feed them according to their nutritional needs. Ultrasound measurements are not suitable for practical use, so alternatives have to be found. As a non-invasive, contactless method, infrared thermography offers many advantages. This study investigated whether infrared thermography can be used to differentiate between “fat” and “lean” animals. Two evaluation methods with different measurement spot sizes were compared. During a fattening period, 980 pigs were examined three times with an infrared camera. Both methods showed significant differences. Body surface temperature was influenced by factors like measurement spot size and soiling of the animals. Body surface temperature decreased (−5.5 °C), while backfat thickness increased (+0.7 cm) in the course of the fattening period. Significant correlations (R > |0.5|; p < 0.001) between both parameters were found. Differentiation between “fat” and “lean” animals, based on temperature data, was not possible. Nevertheless, the application of thermography should be investigated further with the aim of resource-efficient feeding. The results of this feasibility study can serve as a basis for this.
Highlights
In Germany, 95% of ammonia emissions originate from agriculture
Significant differences were found between method ME and SC
Since ultrasound measurements showed significant differences in the backfat/muscle ratio between “fat” and “lean” animals, the results suggest that differences in fat tissue do not affect thermal isolation, and body surface temperature to the same extent
Summary
In Germany, 95% of ammonia emissions originate from agriculture. The increasing spatial concentration of pig farms [2], and increasingly restrictive regulations regarding nitrogen inputs into the environment [3], make it necessary to find new possibilities to reduce nitrogen input and ammonia emissions. New feeding strategies offer great potential, especially in pig husbandry. Since only about 30% of ingested protein is utilized efficiently by the animal, and most of the nitrogen is excreted, it is urgently necessary to feed the animals according to their nutritional needs [4]. The prevention of luxury consumption of animals with a high feed intake capacity is desirable from an environmental and economic aspect. With conventional phase feeding systems, the diets are based on the average requirements of the whole animal group
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