Different applications of artificial intelligence in the poultry industry

Introduction: 

With artificial intelligence roaring in almost every sector, how can the intensive poultry farming and livestock industry be left behind? The growing importance of artificial intelligence in poultry industry has scaled in recent years, especially in the post-pandemic period. As one of the significant contributors to the global economy and regulator of the global hunger index, the global poultry industry went through a severe crisis in both developed and developing countries during the COVID-ridden phase and aftermath. The poultry industry was severely impacted by several challenges such as a disrupted supply chain, lockdown policies, fluctuation in food price, and reduction of feed resources leading to the rocketing price of poultry and animal products- causing significant discrepancies between demand and supply. 

To avert these challenges and with an aim to usher in more sustainable practices, the global poultry industry is noticeably embracing and implementing AI (artificial intelligence) in every aspect of poultry farming and trading. The sole aim behind this reliance on AI is to enhance operational efficiency and avert unpredictable challenges by gathering and analyzing data to foster a data-driven and predictable poultry market. The heightening interest in the adoption of AI for smart poultry farming and commerce has led many countries, particularly in the Europe and USA to implement automation-enabled farming practices and the outcome has been more regulated and risk-free than ever.

AI in its simplest form means combining computer science and datasets to enable machines to perform tasks and solve problems equivalent to human intelligence. AI programming is done to create algorithms that can learn from data to make predictive analysis. There are several facets to AI advancements such as machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing (NLP), robotics, and so on. The application of AI in the poultry industry can help address many challenges while improving farming efficiency and maximizing profit.

Considering the current world population expansion rate, it isn’t so hard to predict that by 2050, the global poultry industry is going to play a pivotal role in meeting global food security. This is why intensive poultry businesses that deploy huge labor forces for farm management are adapting to AI as a safer and more efficient alternative for the welfare of flocks, cost reduction, and streamlined management. To secure poultry production and market interests, leading poultry giants are deploying IoT-enabled poultry farm management systems like precision livestock farming (PLF) technology, advanced sensors, and data-driven decision-making. PLF technology is already garnering major attention for automating poultry farm management and production with real-time flock health monitoring, identification of birds, precise feed management, virtual fencing, etc. -everything with accurate data analysis and smart measures implementation. 

Artificial Intelligence in Poultry Industry- Reimagined

Managing big-ticket poultry businesses with ample but untrained human resources is actually the big reason behind the spread of unknown infections, resulting in huge commercial losses and market crises. Besides, the added production costs of farm management, and animal welfare, while ensuring the best practices to minimize microbial infections and environmental impact is escalating bigger challenges for the poultry industry to stay market-ready in meeting global demand and supply for poultry products. However, with the adoption of AI-based technology, poultry farm owners will get real-time access to in-depth analysis of big data and market insights to make informed decisions on poultry production management.

Here is a sneak peek of how poultry farm owners can harvest maximum ROI with artificial intelligence in the poultry industry. Such as: 

Data-backed farm management– With the application of AI, poultry farmers can save huge on energy resources while ensuring accurate and sustainable farm management practices. By analyzing real-time data with AI technology, poultry farmers can efficiently manage daily farm activities through precise temperature control, light, and humidity to promote better flock health. 

Disease diagnosis and prevention: Keep your poultry flock’s health under check with AI-enabled supervision. AI-powered systems can timely detect concerning poultry behaviors, vocalizations, and other signs of illness to alert farm owners about the precursors to diseases. Advanced detection of masked symptoms can proactively help in the prevention of outbreaks.

Embryo Detection: By implementing ML (machine learning) and AI-enabled systems, poultry farmers can separate fertile eggs from infertile ones to accurately utilize energy resources for incubation rather than wasting them on infertile eggs. With the machine learning model, farm owners can also monitor and evaluate the development status of the embryo.

Efficient Flock Management: With the adoption of AI and ML, poultry farm owners now can efficiently and accurately manage poultry flocks for enhanced productivity without any errors. From determining sex in the embryo using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), predicting hatching probability, assuming breeding times, and monitoring reproduction to identifying high-value breeding stock and precise quality control, every aspect of flock management is accurately taken care of by AI.

AI.M accurate with artificial vision: Also known as computer vision, in poultry management is continuously evolving, driven by advancements in computer vision algorithms, imaging technologies, and AI capabilities. By leveraging visual data and machine learning techniques, farmers can gain deeper insights, enhance flock management, improve productivity, and ensure better welfare and health outcomes for their poultry.

Elevating efficiency with remote sensing: Remote sensing technology plays a valuable role in poultry management by providing useful information about the environment and conditions within poultry farms. Remote sensing provides valuable spatial and temporal data that can enhance decision-making, improve resource management, and optimize poultry farm operations. By utilizing remote sensing technologies, poultry farmers can make informed choices regarding environmental conditions, disease prevention, land use planning, and sustainable management practices.

Conclusion:

Though poultry farm owners are rooting for the advent of AI+ML power-packed poultry management system, its full-swing implementation is still a dream in many developing and underdeveloped countries where food security is still unfortunately a prevailing and concerning issue. Only the US and some nations in Europe are taking an experimental approach to AI implementation in poultry farming and management and the results have so far been satisfactory.

However, the adaption to AI in Indian poultry farm management is still now a distant dream considering the involvement of huge manpower resources engaged in the poultry sector alone. But, at the same time, the Indian Government is making a progressive approach to make upcoming AI strides in the Indian poultry industry to gain acknowledgment through small-scale initiatives that directly or indirectly impact the poultry industry. The Government of India is already working to promote a national AI strategy adoption framework to facilitate research and innovation in the poultry sector. Not to forget, the success of the Digital India Initiative to promote digital literacy for livestock farm owners and farmers, which will definitely help them to make informed decisions with AI implementation. Besides, the launch of several Government programs and initiatives to provide funding, mentorship, and incubation support to start-ups working on AI solutions, which could include technologies applicable to poultry farming.

Hopefully, slowly but steadily Indian livestock business is going to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence in the poultry industry, which is going to unleash several promising arenas for India’s marginal poultry farmers and farm owners. The future of AI in the poultry industry is characterized by improved productivity, disease management, animal welfare, and sustainability. As AI technologies continue to advance and become more accessible, the Indian poultry industry can expect significant transformations that optimize efficiency, enhance decision-making, and foster sustainable practices.