Early‑warning alerts aim to improve breeding accuracy, reduce losses from PDS and lameness, and support more efficient, labor‑saving sow‑herd management. This image of BioCV Lisa is from https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.lisa&pli=1
BioCV Inc. has introduced a new intelligent sow monitoring system designed to give US pork producers earlier, more accurate insights into sow health, behavior, and reproductive status.
The technology, now available in North America, pairs a durable smart ear tag with machine‑learning analytics to deliver real‑time information that can help improve breeding decisions, farrowing management, and overall herd productivity.
The system continuously tracks temperature, movement, and behavior for every tagged sow. According to the company, the nonstop data stream allows the platform to detect subtle changes that signal heat, fever, farrowing, or lameness—often before they are visible to barn staff. As the company stated, the system “picks up the earliest signs of heat, fever, farrowing or lameness—often long before an experienced stockperson could recognize them.”
Jens Kjaer, Chief Executive Officer of BioCV Inc., said the goal is to give barn teams a clearer, earlier picture of what each sow needs. “It catches subtle shifts in behavior, like the start of a fever or the first signs of heat, providing insights so that you can make more confident breeding decisions and better calls on sow care before, during, and after farrowing,” he explained.
The company highlighted three areas where the system can help improve pigs‑weaned‑per‑sow‑per‑year performance:
- Heat detection: Barn trials showed the system identified estrus shifts with 90 percent accuracy, helping reduce non‑productive days and improve conception timing.
- Farrowing alerts: Activity changes linked to farrowing can be detected up to 48 hours before onset, allowing staff to prepare and support sows during their most vulnerable period.
- PDS risk identification: The system flags at‑risk sows 12 to 48 hours before feed drop or fever in research settings, offering a chance to intervene earlier in cases of Postpartum Dysgalactia Syndrome.
Lameness detection is another focus.
With locomotion issues accounting for nearly 18 percent of sow mortality and euthanasia, early alerts can help producers intervene before culling becomes necessary. The company noted that the system detects subtle changes in movement and flags potential lameness early.
Built for commercial barns, the ear tags are designed to withstand harsh environments and last two to three years. All data flows into BioCV LiSA, a mobile‑ and desktop‑ready platform that centralizes breeding, performance, and workflow information for each animal.
Kjaer said the system is intended to help farms operate more efficiently as labor shortages continue.
“The BioCV system helps your best people focus their attention exactly where it’s needed, exactly when it’s needed,” he said.
BioCV is an online professional‑profile platform company that helps users create clean, modern CVs and digital biographies that can be shared through a simple personalized link. The service focuses on fast setup, minimalist design, and easy public visibility, making it useful for professionals who need a lightweight online presence without building a full website.
Producers can learn more or request a demonstration at www.BioCV.info.