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Artificial Intelligence in Poultry Farming: Galleon and Birdoo, Cargill’s Innovations for Optimizing Poultry Production
How smart technologies like gut microbiome analysis and hands-free weight measurement improve flock performance and double poultry farm profitability?
Introduction: The Digital Transformation in the Poultry Industry
The poultry farming industry is transitioning from a traditional, manual system to a data-driven and intelligent one. In this transformation, advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT), machine learning, and computer vision have become critical tools for improving performance, reducing costs, and increasing profitability.
According to industry forecasts, by 2050, a single poultry farm could generate over 4.1 million data points daily through sensors, cameras, and IoT-connected systems. Analyzing this data with artificial intelligence enables farmers to make real-time decisions, reduce costs, and maximize profitability.
In this article, we examine two leading innovations in this field: Galleon™ and Birdoo™, two smart solutions from the international company **Cargill** specifically designed to optimize the performance of broiler chickens.
Galleon™: The First Comprehensive Tool for Assessing Broiler Gut Microbiome Health
One of the most critical factors affecting the health, growth, and feed conversion in broiler chickens is the composition of the gut microbiome. The balance of the gut microbiome not only influences the immune system but also directly impacts feeding efficiency and flock performance.
Cargill, by developing the innovative Galleon™ tool, has introduced the first comprehensive solution for analyzing the gut microbiome of broiler chickens. This patent-pending tool uses a simple swab from a live bird, eliminating the need for slaughter or invasive sampling.
How Does Galleon Work?
- Sampling: A swab is taken from live broilers on the farm.
- Genetic Analysis: The DNA of gut microorganisms is extracted and sequenced.
- Database Comparison: Data is compared against a powerful global database developed over a decade using data from more than 100 trial studies.
- AI Analysis: Using machine learning and advanced statistical analysis, a comprehensive report on microbiome health is generated.
- Actionable Insights: The system provides recommended interventions to improve flock performance.
Benefits of Using Galleon
| Challenge | Galleon's Solution |
|---|---|
| Different performance results in flocks with identical feed and management | Identifying differences in gut microbiome composition |
| No response to changes in diet or additives | Evaluating the impact of changes on the microbiome and suggesting corrective measures |
| Reduced growth or increased mortality without a clear cause | Diagnosing microbiome imbalances and recommending corrections |
| Assessing the effect of vaccination programs | Analyzing the vaccine's impact on microbiome balance |
Dr. Briana Kozlowicz, Cargill's principal microbiome researcher, said: "An animal's gut microbiome influences its health in so many ways. We've accumulated an industry-leading volume of microbiome data that we can now tap into to provide actionable insights to our customers to improve the performance of their flocks."
Birdoo™: Hands-Free, Real-Time Measurement of Broiler Weight
Feed is the highest cost input in poultry production and plays a major role in bird health and growth. On the other hand, accurately measuring bird weight is a time-consuming, labor-intensive process that can cause stress to birds and reduce animal welfare.
To address this challenge, Cargill has partnered with digital technology firm Knex to develop Birdoo™, a first-of-its-kind technology that uses proprietary computer vision and artificial intelligence to combine real-time flock monitoring data with predictive modeling.
Key Features of Birdoo
- High Accuracy: Over 95% accuracy in estimating broiler weight without requiring operator calibration, improving both human and animal welfare.
- No Manual Intervention: Eliminates manual weighing, reduces bird stress, and enhances animal welfare.
- Real-Time Tracking: A cloud-based platform allows farmers, technical advisors, nutritionists, and managers to monitor flock performance in real time and anticipate issues.
- Future Weight Prediction: Uses machine learning models to predict final bird weights for more precise harvest planning.
Economic Benefits of Birdoo
Using Birdoo has significant economic advantages in addition to positive impacts on health and welfare:
- Reduced Feed Consumption: Saves an average of 10 to 30 grams of feed per bird by improving the feed conversion ratio (FCR).
- Reduced Processing Variability: More precise harvesting reduces the number of birds with inappropriate weights and lowers downgrade rates at the packing plant.
- Better Logistics Planning: Accurate final weight predictions help planners optimize harvest timing, transportation, and delivery.
Adriano Marcon, President of Cargill's animal nutrition business, said: "We talk with our customers every day, listen to what they need, and are committed to delivering innovative solutions, like Galleon and Birdoo, to help their businesses thrive. We’re combining our deep animal nutrition expertise with leading-edge technologies to deliver actionable insights that address their unique animal health and production challenges."
Other Cargill Solutions for Smart Poultry Farms
In addition to Galleon and Birdoo, Cargill offers other solutions for poultry farm digitization:
- BinSentry: A system for safe, hands-free measurement of feed inventory in silos.
- COMPASS by Intelia: A system for real-time monitoring of environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, ammonia) and flock performance.
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Conclusion: The Future of Poultry Farming is Smart and Data-Driven
Artificial intelligence is no longer a dream of the future; it is the reality of today’s poultry industry. By using tools like Galleon and Birdoo, farmers can:
- Significantly reduce production costs, especially feed expenses.
- Improve animal welfare and reduce bird stress.
- Enhance final product quality and prevent low grading at processing plants.
- Make decisions more accurately, quickly, and based on data.
The future of agriculture is smart, data-driven, and sustainable. This transformation is only possible through the use of advanced technologies and collaboration between technology companies and producers. Cargill, by offering solutions like Galleon and Birdoo, has taken a major step toward the digitization of the poultry industry.
Sources and References
- Cargill. (2022). Cargill expands portfolio of artificial intelligence-powered innovations to give poultry producers actionable insights. Retrieved from: https://www.cargill.com
- Kozlowicz, B. et al. (2021). Gut microbiome dynamics in broilers: Implications for performance and health. Journal of Applied Poultry Research.
- Marcon, A. (2022). Digital transformation in poultry farming: The role of AI and data analytics. WATT Global Media.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Galleon and how does it help improve flock performance?
Galleon is a Cargill tool that provides practical insights for improving nutrition, management, and flock health by analyzing the gut microbiome of broiler chickens.
How does Birdoo measure chick weights?
Birdoo uses 3D imaging and artificial intelligence to estimate chick weights with high accuracy without any manual intervention.
Is Birdoo available in Iran?
Currently, Birdoo is exclusively offered by Cargill in North America, but similar technologies are being developed in other regions worldwide.
What is the cost of using Galleon?
The cost of Galleon varies depending on farm size and sample numbers and should be discussed with a local Cargill representative.
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