PigConomy: Evidence-based Analysis of Empirical Data from Livestock Farming and its Utilisation

PigConomy aims to optimize processes in meat production. Data collected during animal husbandry and slaughter are used as raw material for this improvement. These process data are not only presented in tabular form and charts but also form the basis for extracting causal relationships between husbandry decisions and animal health diagnosed at the slaughterhouse. These causal reltionships are represented by a statistical model. This knowledge thus represents a tangible and monetary asset for optimizing production processes in the manufacture of meat, the use of which must be monitored and incentivized. PigConomy illustrates with a proof of concept the monetization of data from the process chain for the production of pork. However, not only the economic optimization of husbandry processes is in the foreground, but also the improvement of animal welfare, as it is quantitatively determined at the slaughterhouse. Animal welfare can be improved by using the knowledge of the causal relationships between husbandry decisions and animal health, analogous to husbandry efficiency. This contribution describes PigConomy as the core of a data management ecosystem. In addition, functional additions are discussed to make PigConomy sustainable.