Automatic Pig Scales Provide Consistent Results
Commercial pork production requires high levels of efficiency in todays difficult economic environment. Small changes in methods can mean the difference between profit and loss. These can include changes in the genetics used, type and quality of feed, adequate clean drinking water, proper temperature and ventilation, and disease control. But even when these, and other concerns are fully addressed, one of the critical issues is for the pigs to reach precisely their desired weight at the correct time. Packers require their suppliers to provide very consistent animals. Significant bonuses are paid for those animals that fall exactly within the desired weight window. Penalties are paid for those that are either too heavy or too light. A major goal is to increase the percentage of animals within the required range.
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The only practical way to achieve this result is through the use of automatic pig scales. These devices consist of a weighing scale that is built in the form of a cage. It has gates that automatically open to allow an animal to enter. Once the pig is fully inside the cage, these gates close, so that only one animal is in the scale at the same time. After a weight is obtained, a series of sorting gates direct the pig into the desired feedlot. Different feedlots are designed to produce different rates of weight gain. The automatic sorting scale is programmed to a make a decision as to which feedlot is appropriate for the particular animal being weighed based on the average weights of a group of animals. If the pig is below its target weight for that point in its growing cycle, it will receive higher nutrition rations. If it is heavier than desired at that date, it will be directed to less expensive, lower nutrition feed. Typically, there sorting scale may be a two way, or a three way sorter, directing animals to two or three different areas. In some situations, the pig sorter may be designed to provide as many as five different sorting choices.
The environment within a barn can be quite aggressive. The automatic sorting scales must be designed for trouble free service within this environment. Corrosion is a significant problem. Most pig sorters are constructed from welded stainless steel. Anything that is not fabricated from stainless steel must be protected underneath plasticized layers. In the case of the sorter electronics, they are housed inside sealed plastic housings.
The digital scale section of the automatic sorting scale has special programming for the farmer. A menu driven display allows a number of sorting groups to be defined. Each group is assigned to a specific sorter function. Usually, the lightest groups will be programmed so that the gates will direct the animals to the high nutrition rations. The heavier groups are also directed appropriately. There may also be one or two air activated painters on the sorter that are designed to mark animals within a particular group with a specific color. These markings allow the farmers to easily note animals that may need specific types of attention.
Smart Sort Innovations, a division of Arlyn Scales, manufactures pig sorters that also have the option of reading RFID type ear tags on the animals. This is a powerful tool, as it allows each pig to be monitored individually. The weight gain of the animal may be followed over time. Statistical data from many animals are combined to determine if they are meeting the goals set for weight gain and feed efficiency. Data is stored in the sorter on a USB flash memory stick. High capacity 1 G byte devices allow tens of thousands of data points to be stored. The memory stick may be taken from the pig sorter at any time and read into a computer database system. When analyzed, this data allows the farmer to determine any necessary changes for their feeding protocols.
It is also possible to collect this data in real time. The Smart Sort Innovations sorting scales offer optional networking capability. An Ethernet connector on the sorter may be connected into a Local Area Network (LAN). Animal identification and weight information can be immediately transmitted. Any other computer on the LAN that has the correct password permission may collect and monitor this information. If the LAN is connected to the Internet, it is also possible to perform monitoring functions from any other Internet connected device. This allows central offices to collect information from all of their pig sorters in all of their locations. Special data analysis software is also available to chart this information as needed.
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