January 9, 2008

Farmex to explore wireless communication in pig farms

Farmex announced the recent appointment of David Dobson company, a computer systems specialist, to look into wireless communication methods to enhance piggery systems.

Dobson will research on methods which could revolutionize how piggery systems are controlled and monitored.

The research will be a two-year project with a budget of EUR135,000 (US$198,672), attracting almost 70 percent UK government funding.

The biggest challenge will be to create a self-healing mesh system to enable reliable links in the harsh farm environment, according to observers. The system should be functional despite atmospheric disturbance.

Once the system can be implemented, cost could dramatically fall since there would no longer be a need for lay wires and cables. This network set-up is also less susceptible to lightning strikes and other adverse physical conditions.

Farmex managing director, Hugh Crabtree, said that aside from reducing installation costs for normal heating and ventilation controls, wireless connection could make the monitoring of crucial performance indicators, such as feed and water consumption, cheaper and easier.