South Korean researchers have unveiled the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of detecting pregnancy in sows, potentially revolutionizing farm management practices. (Image courtesy of the Rural Development Administration)
JEONJU, Aug. 8 (Korea Bizwire) – In a groundbreaking development for the pork industry, South Korean researchers have unveiled the world’s first artificial intelligence (AI) system capable of detecting pregnancy in sows, potentially revolutionizing farm management practices.
The Rural Development Administration (RDA) announced on August 7 that researchers had successfully developed AI-powered technology to confirm pregnancy in pigs. This innovation promises to simplify a process that traditionally required the expertise of skilled professionals.
Conventionally, pig pregnancy is confirmed by interpreting uterine ultrasound images 25 days after artificial insemination. However, this method’s accuracy and timing can vary depending on the technician’s skill level, posing challenges for pig farms facing a shortage of specialized personnel.
To address this issue, RDA researchers collected high-resolution (5MHz) uterine ultrasound image data and applied AI learning algorithms to develop a user-friendly pig pregnancy detection program suitable for farm use.
The system can rapidly determine pregnancy status after capturing ultrasound images of a sow’s abdomen for at least 10 seconds.
The technology has demonstrated impressive reliability, with accuracy rates of 88.4% for pregnancies 18 to 21 days after insemination and 95.7% for those 22 to 25 days post-insemination.
RDA officials explain that this program enables non-experts, such as young farmers or foreign workers, to quickly assess pig pregnancies.
Lee Chang-beon, a farm operator in Yeoncheon County, Gyeonggi Province, praised the new technology: “Training staff to interpret uterine ultrasound images used to require significant time and effort. This program offers an easy and reliable way to determine pig pregnancies, which is immensely helpful.”
The RDA has filed three patents related to this AI-powered pig pregnancy detection technology and plans to transfer the technology to interested companies.
Additionally, the agency is aiming to enhance the AI model to improve accuracy rates to 95% for pregnancies 18 to 21 days post-insemination.
Lim Ki-soon, the director of the National Institute of Animal Science at the RDA, stated, “Beyond pregnancy detection, we are developing various AI technologies, including body condition assessment for sows.”
He added, “We are committed to expanding technologies that increase productivity while reducing breeding costs, thereby strengthening the competitiveness of pig farmers.”
Kevin Lee (kevinlee@koreabizwire.com)
