In 2026, two of EuroTier’s most prestigious awards go to a new development by WEDA Dammann & Westerkamp: the DLG Innovation Award gold medal and the Animal Welfare Award for its smart farrowing pen. Developed jointly by WEDA and VetVise, this innovation is a camera- and AI-based assistance system that can be installed in existing equipment and is designed for WEDA farrowing pens, especially free-movement models. The system analyzes the behavior of sows and piglets 24 hours a day. AI combines real-time analysis of animal behavior with the installation’s automated technology and feeding system, resulting in an autonomous farrowing pen.
Until now, it has barely been possible to draw direct conclusions
Conventional systems currently operate exclusively on the basis of time-based criteria. They respond to fixed ambient temperatures or require time-consuming manual checks. In addition, they cannot provide a real-time view inside the barn or capture the animals’ actual behavior. Consequently, it is not possible to draw direct conclusions about this behavior; instead, conclusions are inferred solely from the physical parameters of the environment.
A proactive rather than reactive approach
In contrast, the new AI is based directly on animal behavior and translates piglets’ instinctive behavior when lying down, as well as the sow’s activity, into precise control commands. This enables the system to act autonomously and proactively—instead of reactively—thereby closing the gap between digital monitoring and automated execution in the barn.
Synchronization of farrowing and feeding:
For example, the AI detects that farrowing is approaching based on the sow’s behavior in real time (such as inactivity, changes in standing or lying posture, or lack of feed intake). Staff receive an immediate alert, and the feeding system is activated. Feeding is interrupted and the feeding curve then starts automatically, supplying the lactating sow with an optimized recipe and quantity.
Lactation monitoring using “Nutrix”
If piglets use the WEDA supplementary feeding system unusually often, the AI interprets this as a warning sign that the sow is producing insufficient milk; at that point, a yellow «WEDA-Smart.Light» above the feeder alerts the staff.
Autonomous climate control for the piglet nest
In addition, the AI records the piglets’ lying positions in real time: for example, if they are observed huddling and piling up outside the nest, thermal stress is detected. WEDA’s control system then adjusts the nest heating fully automatically. In short, for the first time, visual data on behavior proactively control the installation’s hardware, thereby ensuring the highest level of animal welfare.
Intelligent control panel for VetVise farrowing pens
Special features and benefits at a glance
Practical application and animal welfare
- Reduction in deaths due to crushing thanks to temperature regulation in the nests.
- Changes in resting behavior or excessive use of the nurse alert to a lack of milk early, allowing for rapid intervention.
Operational management and labor efficiency
- The “management by exception” system only issues alerts when actual problems arise.
- Automatic recording of farrowings and proactive adjustment of feed quantities prevent leftover feed, eliminating the need to empty the feeders manually and improving feed utilization.
Environment and energy
- AI control ensures demand-adapted nest heating without running continuously at full power, making it possible to reduce the supply temperature by up to 6 °C under real operating conditions.
- Precision feeding reduces nutrient losses in slurry and lowers the carbon footprint.
Easier work and safety
- Digital monitoring of farrowing and real-time remote access replace in-person nighttime rounds, saving time and travel.
29 September 2026 - WEDA Dammann & Westerkamp