Chapter I

Introduction

Background of the Study

Domesticated animals have been essential to the rise of human
civilizations all over the world and now play a crucial role in human
culture, society, and both local and global economies. Domestic
livestock has increased the amount of food and nourishment available
to people in four different ways: by supplying sources of meat, milk,
fertilizer, and pulling plows. This has led to the emergence of human
cultures and civilizations (“Encyclopedia of Food and Culture” 2023).

 According to Vranken and Berckmans (2017), Farmers today want

trustworthy and reasonably priced technologies to help them accomplish
daily management duties in order to ensure precise and continuous
monitoring of individual animals at a contemporary livestock farm.
Precision livestock farming (PLF) is the monitoring, modeling, and
management of animal production using the ideas and methods of process
engineering. The only practical approach to help farmers and other
participants in the livestock production chain in the near future
while still meeting the increased demand for meat seems to be
precision livestock farming. 

Livestock production plays a significant role in meeting the food

and nutritional needs of the growing global population. Among the
various types of livestock, swine farming is considered to be one of
the most profitable businesses. The pork industry is an essential
source of animal protein and contributes significantly to the
agricultural sector’s growth. 

J-BEE Trucking Services started in 2015, one of the organizations

that are located at Prk. Macawiwili Bs Aquino Drive Santo Niño. Their
business process focuses on providing logistics services around here
in Negros Occidental. They have 15 employees which are 10 drivers, 3
maintenance workers, and 2 employees who work inside the office. As of
now the Trucking Coordinator and the Owner/Admin operate manually on
their tasks. As they work manually, they are prone to errors like
encoding the information of the transaction to their
clients/customers.

  The proponents aimed to convert the existing manual operations

process of J-BEE Trucking Services into an automated Logistics
Services Transaction Management System that may help to lessen their
errors in operating their transactions and also to reduce their manual
workload. Logistics Services Transaction Management System would make
the operation and transaction easier to gain the satisfaction of the
customer/clients.
Objectives of the Study

The general objective of the study is to determine how technology

may be used to operate the swine farm G-Farm more effectively,
sustainably, and profitably. The goal of this research is to
offer suggestions on how G-Farm and other swine farms may use
technology to boost productivity and satisfy the rising demand
for animal protein while maintaining sustainable business
practices.

Specifically, the study aims to:

1. determine the peak season of swine and farrow through historical

and real time data;

2. monitor the growth of the swine;

3. generate reports for company’s further improvement;

4. determine the best or high quality feeds using Feed

conversion ratio;

5. test the quality of the system using a standard evaluation

tool;

Scope of the study

This study focuses on how G-farm can use a decision support system to
improve swine farming operations. The study will specifically analyze
the optimal time for swine and farrow feeding to increase profits, the
most effective ways to monitor sales and feed inventory, and the
importance of feed conversion ratio (FCR) in maximizing profitability.
By providing real-time information, analysis, and recommendations, the
decision support system can help G-farm swine farmers make informed
decisions to improve productivity and profitability. This study aims
to make swine farming more efficient and sustainable.
Significance of the Study

   The proposed system Managing Livestock Production: A decision

support system for swine farms has the following benefits for several
stakeholders, including:

G-farm Owner - The owner plays a critical role in livestock

production decision support for swine farms by ensuring data
collection, analysis, decision-making, technology adoption, and
communication and education. By embracing decision support
systems and technologies, owners can improve pig farm management
and animal welfare, while also increasing profitability and
reducing environmental impact.

G-farm General Manager - The General Manager in livestock

production decision support for swine farms works together with
the employee/worker to develop and implement decision support
systems that improve farm management, animal welfare, and
environmental sustainability. By collaborating and sharing
information, these stakeholders can make significant advances in
pig farming practices that benefit everyone involved.

G-farm Employees – G-farm Employees and those involved in

livestock production on swine farms aspire to equip them with
decision support systems knowledge that can change their work and
improve many facets of their roles.

G-farm - The systems is to optimize their operations and improve

efficiency and profitability. By providing real-time data and
analysis, a DSS can help farmers make more informed decisions and
improve the overall management of their operations. Livestock
production decision support for pig farms it can lead to more
effective farm management, increased productivity, enhanced
animal welfare, reduced environmental impact, and provide a
framework for future research and development.

Researchers - The system may aid researchers in improving their

knowledge and insights while creating a system for future studies.
Additionally, this would enhance their academic performance and
enhance their abilities to develop decision support systems.

Future Researchers - Future researchers exploring livestock production

decision support systems for a pig farm would benefit from the study
that was conducted since it may be utilized as a model or a starting
point for creating such systems.
Definition of Terms
To ensure comprehension and clarity, it is crucial to identify the
important terminology used in any research or study. The terms used in
the proposed Managing Livestock Production: A Decision support system
for pig farms are briefly explained in this section.

Decision support system (Conceptual), a computer program that can

arrange and sort large amounts of data, and that is used to help
people in companies and organizations make important decisions based
on the data:

(Operational), G-farm staff and those involved in livestock production

on swine farms aspire to equip them with decision support systems and
technologies that can change their work and improve many facets of
their roles.

Efficient – (Conceptual), performing or functioning in the best

possible manner with the least waste of time and effort; having and
using requisite knowledge, skill, and industry; competent; capable:
(Retrieve from Merriam Webster)

(Operational), capable of producing desired results especially without

waste (as of time or energy) an efficient worker. efficient machinery.

Feed Conversion ratio(FCR) - (Conceptual), a ratio expressing the

weight of food required to produce a unit gain in the live weight of
an animal.

(Operational), The food conversion ratio (FCR) is a measure used in

agriculture and animal husbandry to quantify the efficiency of
converting feed or food inputs into animal or livestock products, such
as meat, eggs, or milk. It represents the amount of feed or food
consumed by an animal relative to the weight gained or the amount of
product produced.

Optimize - (conceptually), to make as perfect, effective, or

functional as possible. (Merriam Webster)

(Operational), optimization refers to the ongoing process of staying

up to date with the constantly changing markets. Ensuring your
operational processes are efficient while cutting costs and maximizing
performance.
Peak season – (Conceptual), is "the period of the year when business,
traffic, or demand is at its highest level" (source: Oxford Learner's
Dictionary).

(Operational), “peak season” is a time of year when retailers, and

especially online retailers, experience a significant increase in
sales.

Profitability – (Conceptual), affording profits: yielding advantageous

returns or results. (From Merriam Webster)

(Operational), a measure of an organization's profit relative to its

expenses. Organizations that are more efficient will realize more
profit as a percentage of its expenses than a less-efficient
organization, which must spend more to generate the same profit.
Enhance Profitability and Drive Digital Acceleration.