Feed Conversion Rate and Growth Performance Analysis Using PCA in Precision Livestock Farming

I. U. HAQ, P. Font Farré, P. Llagostera Blasco, L. M. Plà Aragonés

Feeding robots are increasingly used to optimize feeding strategies and enhance pig growth performance. However, identifying the key variables influencing the conversion of feed into pig weight remains a challenge. In this study, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was applied to examine the interrelationships among variables affecting the feed-to-weight relationship. PCA reduced data dimensionality, revealing four principal components that accounted for 86.03% of the total variance. The first component (PC1) explained 32.33%, followed by PC2 (23.42%), PC3 (16.19%), and PC4 (13.75%). Key variables like daily feed intake (DFI), initial body weight (IBW), final body weight (FBW), average daily gain (ADG), number of meals (NM), and time spent eating (TD) were linked to growth performance. Four distinct feeding behaviors emerged, each associated with specific growth typologies, helping develop more tailored feeding strategies.

Keywords: Feeding Robots, Pig Behaviors, Feed Conversion, Growth Performance, PCA

OR in Agriculture
June 13, 2025  9:00 AM
MR 1

P. Font Farré, L. M. Plà Aragonés, P. Llagostera Blasco

P. Llagostera Blasco, L. M. Plà Aragonés, Y. Bao

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