Public Funding for Innovent Technology Limited

Lameness can affect up to 20% of pigs in the UK and is one of the major welfare issues across the livestock industry. Animals which are lame may be in pain, require veterinary treatment and may not reach their full production potential. This project seeks to develop a pig management tool which will help identify pigs which are currently lame, or which are likely to become lame in the future and therefore should not be used for breeding. By utilising of recent advances in imaging technology, the consortium will be able to develop and exploit an affordable technological solution. Based on deviations from normal movement patterns, the technology will be able to flag up affected individuals to the farmer or his advisors e.g. veterinarians. It will also help genetic companies select for animals which are less susceptible to lameness to breed from. This will help reduce the costly impact of lameness on the industry, improving efficiencies and pig welfare, and promoting sutainable food the the benefit of all.

The OPTI-BEEF project, initiated in May 2019, was awarded substantial funding of £1.2m from UK Research and Innovation, through the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund. This support was part of a broader initiative to bolster 'Productive and Sustainable Crop and Ruminant Agricultural Systems'. Over its four-year duration, OPTI-BEEF aimed to create an enhanced decision support system that integrates on-farm whole-life performance monitoring with detailed carcass measurements from precision agriculture technology. This integration was designed for deployment both on-farm and in-abattoirs. The project successfully developed new on-farm technologies for individual animal monitoring, innovative parameter extraction algorithms for both live animal and carcass images, precise grading prediction models, and user-friendly on-farm and abattoir data platforms. However, to transition to a commercially viable product, further refinements are essential. The project now focuses on real-time image processing to cater to abattoirs' needs and ensuring reliable linkage of cattle IDs to images captured within the fast/complex abattoir environment. Additionally, to achieve commercial licensing, there is a need to enhance the accuracy of grading models on a 15-point scale and devise a reliable method for assessing fat coverage/depth. Key objectives include: * Crafting a fully automated software integration solution for reliable image and UKID linkage. * Developing an algorithm for accurate carcass fat coverage/depth prediction. * Refining the image processing algorithm to account for real-time abattoir conditions. * Creating a commercial-grade algorithm for predicting carcass conformation and fat classifications and carcass weight. * Develop predictions of new carcass traits and explore their use within grading/pricing models. By the project's conclusion, the goal is to have a robust abattoir imaging product ready for licensing by Defra. This product will be among the few licensed VIA options for UK abattoirs. It will synergise with the recently developed on-farm technology, offering the beef industry an invaluable integrated management tool. This tool aims to facilitate informed decision-making, leading to more animals meeting abattoir requirements, better input management by producers, reduced environmental impact, and increased returns on reared animals. The beef industry's ongoing need for an integrated decision-making platform is addressed by this advanced and innovative solution.

**What is FarmSense?** FarmSense is an intelligent user-friendly platform that brings together state-of-the-art image/sensor technologies combined with artificial intelligence (AI) to support farmers and their advisors in optimising livestock production whilst assuring the highest animal welfare standards. Compared to traditional labour-intensive farming methods where animals are visited periodically during the working day, our smart monitoring system continuously analyses animal growth, behaviour and gas profiles along with the animal's day and night patterns. Our AI system learns how to automatically detect any changes in pattern indicating problems such as early disease onset, tail biting or abnormal eating/drinking behaviours. The system then delivers early on-screen alerts/prompts to farm workers. FarmSense's 24/7 monitoring thus provides farmers with an autonomous stockman tool: a 'hands-free' continuous early warning system for pig production that can be readily integrated into the UK pork supply chain. **How does it work?** Our approach is based on smart 3D cameras that monitor animal growth and behaviours; and gas sensors that detect gases and vapours that animals emit when diseases start to take hold. The resulting data are analysed by machine learning methods (a type of AI that learns from data) to identify common health and welfare problems affecting individual animals. Integrated into the _"VetSupport+"_ software (Zoetis), it notifies farmers of anything unusual or alarming occurring within a herd and provides suggestions for early corrective action so that quick and effective farming management decisions can be made. **What are the benefits?** Previous studies \[1-4\] have shown that the parameters measured by our technologies affect health and productivity in other species, including poultry. Using our technology, we predict that disease and waste reduction using FarmSense will lead to a 10-15% increase in productivity in the pork supply chain \[7\]. Indeed, we've seen 8% revenue gains observed in current deployments of our camera systems; we expect that our integrated system will achieve higher gains. Finally, our early warning system stands to reduce the carbon footprint within the livestock industry in line with the Agricultural Transition Plan, thus markedly contributing to the UK's Net Zero Strategy. **Who can use FarmSense?** FarmSense will initially focus on pig farming to exemplify the benefits of applying 'Precision Livestock Farming' to pork production. However, FarmSense will be readily adaptable across other livestock, such as cattle and poultry, to improve farming efficiency, minimise waste and positively contribute to the global issue of climate change.

"There is currently extensive inefficiency in the UK beef sector. Producers routinely assess the performance of their animals by eye and frequently retain them on farm too long, resulting in animals becoming too fat. This leads to increased variable farm costs, reduced annual capacity of beef finishing units and sub-optimal price paid for carcasses -- for a finishing unit producing 300 animals per year this equates to a cost of £11,400\. Over-fat animals also increase the primary processing costs for abattoirs and have a higher environmental impact per kg of product produced. The price paid to the producer for a beef carcass is also predominantly assessed subjectively by eye. Lack of confidence in the reliability of carcass evaluation makes it difficult to agree quality-based payments that reflect the true value of carcasses. This project aims to develop on-farm and in abattoir technologies to automate and optimise on-farm selection of animals for slaughter and carcass evaluation. The project will integrate automated data gathered across the whole life of individual beef animals (from calf to carcass) to create an enhanced decision support platform to modernise and drive efficiency improvements across the UK beef supply chain."

Tail biting in growing pigs is affected by many risk factors, but an outbreak can start without warning or obvious cause. This unpredictable tail biting results in pain and sickness for bitten pigs and severe economic losses for farmers: infection through tail wounds results in abattoir condemnation of meat. Tail docking of piglets is partly effective at reducing tail biting in later life, but is seen as an undesirable mutilation and its routine use is banned in the EU. Our innovative new solution to this long-standing problem begins with the observation that pigs hold their tails down before a damaging tail biting outbreak starts. In an earlier project, we used 3D cameras and developed machine vision software that automatically detects these changes in tail posture. In this project we will build on our promising early feasibility results to develop a prototype decision support system to give farmers early warning of tail biting. Testing it on diverse pig farm types in the UK with both tail docked and undocked pigs, we will assess its welfare and economic benefits for pig producers and breeders. There is considerable domestic demand and export potential for TailTech for use in pig production systems globally. Tackling tail biting and reducing tail docking involves a multi-disciplinary farm to fork approach which is reflected in our project team of Agri-tech engineers, animal scientists, veterinarians and pork supply chain partners.

To embed advanced image/video processing, data analytics and machine learning expertise in the business of precision agriculture of livestock farming, improving performance of QSCAN and QBOX systems and, ultimately, enhancing animal welfare and farm productivity.

Tail biting in growing pigs starts without warning. Outbreaks of tail biting result in pain and sickness for bitten pigs and economic losses for farmers, particularly when infection through tail wounds results in abattoir condemnation of meat. Recent research shows that pigs’ behaviour changes before a damaging tail biting outbreak starts. This project aims to develop a ‘smart farming’ product based on the latest video technology and machine-vision software to automatically detect these changes and warn farmers so they can intervene to stop tail biting. The project brings together SRUC’s expertise in pig behaviour analysis, Innovent Technology Ltd’s machine vision software development skills with Sainsbury’s pig supply chain perspective to ensure that end user needs are met. Experience with on-farm 3D video, and access to a network of Agri-tech expertise will be facilitated by the Agri-EPI Centre.

Subclinical & clinical disease is the main factor responsible for pig system inefficiency & reduction in pro-ductivity and welfare. Currently disease detection is done through human observation or diagnostic sur-veillance, but monitoring continuously involves significant costs & effort.The project aims to develop & validate technology to automatically monitor performance and behaviour in growing pigs. Individual pig and group movements will be automatically captured and analysed using low cost camera installations and computer vision and learning techniques, thereby providing information about pig performance, behaviour and group dynamics so as to allow rapid intervention to improve health and welfare and increase farm efficiency. The consortium has skills in the design of software solutions, animal health & diagnostics, and pig management, with the academic partner being at the forefront of research in computer vision/recognition techniques and pig management & health.

To embed advanced 3-D vision processing and data mining capabilites to enhance existing QSCAN and QBOX products

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.

This project aims to develop a non-intrusive system which will allow beef finishing units to identify the optimal time to market finished cattle. The system will combine innovative; animal handling; automated weighing; image capture; and analysis software to provide realtime objective feedback on animal condition, market value and optimal time to take to market.Optimising cattle finishing times allows farmers to achieve maximum marketable yield and profit, by a reduction in variable costs such as feeding and bedding, and by improving the efficiency of capital resources such as animal housing. Further benefits accrue by reducing the requirement for farm visits by supply chain customers. Environmental impact will be from a reduction in animal greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions through faster finishing times and reducing resources used and requirements for farm visits by abattoirs. The consortium is David Ritchie (Implements) Ltd, The Harbro Group Ltd, Innovent Uk Ltd, Wm Morrison Supermarkets Ltd, Scotbeef Ltd and SRUC.