WEDA Launched AI Animal Welfare Diagnostic Tool
The PigTail system uses image processing to identify tail injuries in large swine herds.
Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Artificial Intelligence
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WEDA has introduced an AI-powered diagnostic tool called PigTail to monitor swine health. The system utilizes camera technology to automatically detect tail injuries in large groups of pigs.
Why it matters
The software replaces manual inspection, which is often inefficient and prone to human error when managing large animal populations. By automating welfare assessments, it helps farmers maintain health standards and manage regulatory reporting requirements.
The PigTail system functions in herds of 400 or more pigs by utilizing overhead camera image processing. The AI software segments real-time images to compare tail integrity against linked ear-tag data.
The players
WEDA
WEDA is the developer of the PigTail system and a provider of automated technology solutions for the livestock industry.
EuroTier
EuroTier is a major international trade fair for animal production that hosts innovation awards for new agricultural technologies.
The details
As each pig passes through a sorting chute, the camera captures an image from above to determine if the tail is intact or injured. The system then alerts farmers with the specific animal ID and pen number, while also generating lists of healthy pigs for welfare premium applications.
Timeline
2026: The PigTail tool won a silver DLG Innovation Award at EuroTier 2026.
The Tech Race
This development follows a pattern set by the DLG Innovation Award in recognizing the industry's shift toward digitalizing livestock management. It replaces traditional manual labor with automated vision-based monitoring to meet modern animal welfare standards.
Farmers can improve efficiency by receiving automated alerts on specific animal health issues, reducing the time spent on manual herd checks. The software also simplifies documentation for welfare premium applications by tracking intact tails within the herd.
The takeaway
Automated vision technology is increasingly standardizing how producers handle large-scale welfare compliance. Integrating these diagnostic tools provides a more precise and reportable way to manage livestock health in complex agricultural environments.
Further reading
For more developments in this field, visit our Artificial Intelligence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Scottish Farmer.
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