Published on April 19, 2018
Artificial intelligence project opens new possibilities in swine
The swine AI (Artificial Intelligence) project that Hendrix Genetics and its partner BrainCreators are working on, is using AI to predict individual slaughterhouse traits for swine before they are processed.
This technology is very promising, because it would allow geneticists to connect genes to traits like toughness, intermuscular fat, net carcass weight and taste. This closes a knowledge gap and helps connect processing traits with traditional phenotypic traits like growth rate, fat thickness and weight at different days.
Hendrix Genetics is excited to partner with BrainCreators, an AI company based in Amsterdam, The Netherlands for this project that is to be completed this quarter. This investment aims to create value throughout the value chain, from genetics, right thru to processing.
Background
Although DNA is a set of instructions, it is not always clear what the instructions are for. Hendrix Genetics geneticists work tirelessly to link genes to certain traits. Once certain genes are known to produce desired results, breeding programs then have a clear direction to work towards. The challenge that is often faced with animal breeding, is that there are many individuals and those individuals are not always available to be tracked and studied throughout the value chain. A clear example of this, is found in swine, where there are many individuals and when they go to slaughter and are processed, it becomes difficult to observe their individual traits in the plant.
We are very proud to be one of the first teams within Hendrix Genetics to be involved in AI. With the application of this technology, we aim to increase the accuracy of selection for a number of traits that are impossible to measure on the live animal. Thus adding extra value in the pork value chain.
It is clear by now that artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the world as we know it. Like Amazon, Google and Apple, Hendrix Genetics, sees AI as a critical component of its future. As this project nears completion, Hendrix Genetics is well underway in adding a new tool, to its toolbox of technology; as it strives to bring value through innovation, collaboration and sustainability.
