AI tech for egg farms gets £2.6m from government

AI technology aimed to improve efficiency on egg farms has been awarded £2.6m in government funding.

The AI analyses a range of data gathered from sensors on a farm, including listening to the sound the hens make, to identify any potential problems.

The Facilitating Learning Opportunities, Cultivating Knowledge and Welfare through Integrated Sensing and Expertise (Flockwise) system has been developed by Oxford-based FAI Farms, alongside Cumbria's The Lakes Free Range Egg Company and Newcastle University.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) hopes the three-year trial will improve animal welfare and eventually reduce egg prices for British shoppers.

FAI Farms claims the system can identify the sounds birds make when stressed or unwell and alert the farmer.

Their BirdBox system is already used to check the hens' environment, monitor equipment, record feed data and gather information about the quality of the eggs.

Defra said the technology would help hens "live longer and healthier lives and is good for the environment too, because longer-lived fowl have a smaller carbon footprint".

If rolled out nationwide, Defra hopes the project could "make for up to 1.7 billion more eggs laid a year, and a £280 million increase to UK farmers' income".

In a statement, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Steve Reed said: "Government support for cutting-edge technology is making a real-world difference to British farmers and boosting their profits.

"Farmers could even pass these productivity gains on to consumers, by charging lower prices for their eggs, ultimately putting more money in people's pockets."

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: "Not only is this work putting British farming at the cutting edge—it's ensuring our morning fry-ups remain proudly homegrown.

"Now that's what I call a cracking use of technology."

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