AI Case Study

Alibaba Group detects pigs' pregnancy seven times quicker using facial recognition technology

Alibaba Group claims it has developed a system to identify pregnant pigs by observing their behaviour after mating. The task was previously a manual procedure were farmers had to observe each of their cow's behaviour over a 21 day period. With the algorithm, it is now possible to determine if a pig is pregnant on the third day to increase the number of newborns and maximise production. The company expects that its system will be adopted by some Chinese farms in early 2019.

Industry

Basic Materials

Agriculture

Project Overview

"Using facial-recognition cameras, Alibaba Group Holding's cloud unit said it has developed an algorithm that can accurately diagnose pregnancy in pigs by observing changes in their behaviour, physical appearance and eating patterns after mating.

The solution, which can also detect a failed pregnancy as early as the third day after mating compared to 21 days the conventional way, is designed to increase the number of newborns on pig farms, according to Alibaba Cloud. The solution is expected to be put to use in some of Alibaba Cloud’s partner farms in southwest China’s Sichuan province early next year."

Reported Results

"Alibaba uses AI to speed up detection of pregnant pigs seven times."

Technology

Function

Operations

General Operations

Background

"Chinese pig breeders have accumulated years of experience to determine if a sow is pregnant, based on careful observation of the animal’s behavioural changes over a 21 day period – a task made more challenging because each farmer has to keep tabs on up to 80 pigs at a time.

China has 700 million pigs, representing about half of the world’s total. In recent months a number of internet companies have launched ventures to revolutionise the country’s pig farming industry."

Benefits

Data

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