agribusinessreview.comJULY - AUGUST 20258 opinionIN MYDarrin 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.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 timeAnother 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. TRANSFORMATIVE TECHNOLOGY IN THE HOG INDUSTRY: A LOOK BACK SINCE 2003By Darrin Duell, Director of Risk Manage-ment and Continuous improvement, OlymelTechnology has not replaced the stock-person's eye, but it has augmented hu-man judgment with precision tools that enable better decision-makingDarrin Duell
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