Growth models and their application in precision feeding of monogastric farm animals

• Main Author: Veronika Halas
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Slovak University of Agriculture in Nitra 2020-12-01
• Series: Acta Fytotechnica et Zootechnica
• Subjects: precision feeding; mathematical models; pig; broiler; production efficiency
• Online Access: http://acta.fapz.uniag.sk/journal/index.php/on_line/article/download/726/pdf

The dichotomy between developed and developing countries was observed not only in asymmetric human population growth, but also in increasing demand for animal products revolving around poultry and pigs in developing World. Modern livestock industry has adopted innovative technologies to improve the biological efficiency of animal production and feeding, and for this purpose different mathematical models have been applied. In this review, the authors summarize the growth models, briefly introduce the principles of precision feeding and provide evidence that models are key elements of these systems. Modelling is an excellent tool to help in understanding and to predict the animal’s response to different farm conditions. Models comprise of equations set describing nutrient flows and animal response. They are essential elements of precision livestock farming system being the basis of the decision support tool since, from yesterday’s data, they provide today what happens tomorrow. Precision farming adopts real-time monitoring systems collecting serial data about individual or group of animals. However, without a well-defined goal-oriented data process, data by itself are not useful to farmers. Available and newly recorded data can be converted to valuable information for management purposes through models applied in farming systems. Nutritional models are integrated part of those systems; therefore, growth modelling is a key tool to improve the efficiency and sustainability of livestock production systems.