Boehringer Ingelheim plans pilot program using SoundTalks system in select pig barns to quickly detect possible respiratory distress in swine.
Boehringer Ingelheim announced that it has acquired a minority stake in SoundTalks NV, a Belgian company that has developed a digital monitoring tool that seeks to improve the health care of pigs and helps farmers operate more efficiently.
The SoundTalks system revolves around a digital microphone that records pigs coughing. It relies on an algorithm to differentiate coughing from other sounds in a pig barn and, thus, detects increased coughing that could signal respiratory distress, the companies explained. The system lets farmers and veterinarians intervene more quickly to obtain samples and get a diagnosis.
Boehringer Ingelheim plans to install the SoundTalks system in select pig barns in the U.S. and other major swine markets this spring in a pilot program, the announcement 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,” SoundTalks chief executive officer Dries Berckmans said.
The companies did not disclose financial terms of the deal.
Lire la suite: www.feedstuffs.com
