A Review of the Monitoring Techniques Used to Detect Oestrus in Sows

The agricultural industries have embraced the use of technologies as they improve efficiency and food security. The pork industry is no exception to this, as monitoring techniques and artificial intelligence allow for unprecedented capacity to track the physiological and behavioural condition of individual animals. This article reviews a range of those technologies in reference to the detection of oestrus in sows, a time when the ability to precisely ascertain physiological and behavioural changes associated with fluctuating hormone levels can have an immense impact on the economic profitability of the farm. The strengths and weaknesses of each technique from a practical application perspective are discussed, followed by considerations for further research and refinement.