Darrin Duell is the Director of Risk Management and Continuous Improvement at Olymel. He specializes in operational risk assessment, safety protocols, and process optimization, helping Olymel enhance efficiency, compliance, and workplace safety across its facilities.
Since I began my career in the hog industry in 2003, the sector has undergone profound technological and philosophical changes. The pace and precision of today’s operations would have seemed ambitious—if not impossible—two decades ago. Back then, producers relied heavily on physical presence, instinct, and manual labor. Today, we’re in an era defined by data, automation, and integrated systems that allow remote oversight and decision-making with a level of precision and sophistication unimaginable at the turn of the century.
One of the most visible and impactful evolutions has been the rise of remote barn monitoring. In 2003, most barn conditions—temperature, humidity, ventilation, feed and water systems—had to be checked in person. A typical day began and ended with walking pens, adjusting fans manually, and scanning for subtle signs of animal stress. Today, many barns are equipped with remote sensors and automated alerts that allow producers to monitor environmental and operational conditions from a smartphone or laptop. When deviations occur—say, a drop in water intake or a spike in temperature— the system notifies the user instantly, allowing for quick corrective actions. This real-time visibility not only saves time and labor but also improves animal welfare and productivity.
These improvements are largely due to smart environmental controllers, which have become increasingly powerful and intuitive. Systems like AP’s EDGE controller, or the Maximus line, integrate multiple barn functions—ventilation, heating, lighting, even feeding—into centralized, automated platforms. These controllers don’t just respond to current conditions; they are evolving to anticipate changes based on weather forecasts, historical data, and animal growth stages. The level of environmental stability we can now maintain within a barn translates into reduced stress, better feed conversion, and healthier animals.
Technology has not replaced the stockperson’s eye, but it has augmented human judgment with precision tools that enable better decision-making.
At the field level, near-infrared (NIR) technology has emerged as a game-changer in manure management. In 2003, applying hog manure to cropland was largely based on assumptions and averages. Nutrient content varied widely, and over- or under-application was a real risk. Today, mobile NIR sensors mounted on tankers or injectors allow real-time analysis of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and dry matter content as manure is being applied. Operators can adjust application rates on the fly, ensuring each part of the field receives the appropriate nutrient load. This not only improves crop nutrient uptake and yield, but also reduces environmental risks, such as nutrient runoff or groundwater contamination. — it also opens the door for hog producers to capture full economic value from their manure. By accurately quantifying the complete nutrient profile in real time.
Another less visible but equally important shift has been in management philosophy. Twenty years ago, the prevailing mindset was largely reactive: fix problems when they arise. Today, the most successful operations are proactive, data-driven, and outcome-oriented. Producers are no longer simply animal caretakers; they’re strategic managers of complex biological and economic systems. Performance data— feed intake, growth rate, mortality, medication usage—is continuously gathered, analyzed, and benchmarked across time and locations.
This has led to a more interdisciplinary approach to management. A modern swine operation might involve not just veterinarians and nutritionists, but also data analysts, software engineers, and sustainability consultants. The language of the barn now includes terms like “predictive analytics,” “KPIs,” and “carbon footprint.” The question is no longer just “How are the pigs doing?” but “How efficiently are we turning inputs into value while maintaining animal welfare and environmental compliance?”
In parallel, biosecurity protocols have also become more technology-enabled. From electronic visitor logs to gate alarms and wearable trackers, producers can now track and trace movement across their facilities with a degree of accuracy that improves disease prevention and outbreak response. This has become especially critical in light of threats like African Swine Fever and PEDv, where early containment is key.
Yet, even with all this advancement, the core principles of the industry remain unchanged: healthy animals, responsible stewardship, and long-term sustainability. Technology has not replaced the stockperson’s eye, but it has augmented human judgment with precision tools that enable better decision-making. For many of us who’ve spent our careers in this space, the evolution has been both humbling and invigorating.
Looking ahead, the next frontier may be integration of artificial intelligence, blockchain traceability, and carbon accounting within hog production systems. The challenges are real—capital investment, data interoperability, training—but the potential rewards are significant. As technology continues to evolve, so too must our commitment to adapt and lead with integrity.
What began as a labor-intensive, instinct-driven industry is now a model of how traditional agriculture and modern innovation can not only coexist, but thrive together. And for those of us who’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand, it’s been a remarkable ride.
