BI pilots digital monitoring tool for pig healthcare

Boehringer Ingelheim has acquired a minority stake in SoundTalks NV and plans to install its SoundTalksTM system in select pig barns in the US and other major swine markets to detect possible respiratory distress in swine quickly. The pilot programme will commence this spring and it is hoped it will help farmers operate more efficiently. The SoundTalksTM system records pigs coughing through a digital microphone, and uses an algorithm to differentiate coughing from other sounds in a pig barn, enabling the farmer or vet to identify increased coughing that could suggest a respiratory problem, and address it quicker.
Rolf-Dieter Günther, Head of Diagnostics & Monitoring, Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health Business Unit, said: “We are proud to partner with SoundTalks NV to offer an innovative solution to pork producers. Technological innovation is transforming the animal health industry, and we are committed to developing solutions that help veterinarians and ultimately farmers as well as pet owners.”
Dries Berckmans, CEO, SoundTalks NV, said: “We are very pleased with this partnership. Our two companies share passion for innovative solutions, technology and animal health. This is just a beginning of a very exciting collaboration.”