Technology and Pregnant Pigs

Ithaco, Inc., under a NASA contract developed the Scanopreg which is ultrasonic system which detects pregnancy about 30 days after breeding, long before eyeballing can provide an answer. Dual function unit not only determines pregnancy but also gives farmers an analysis of a hog's meat-fat ratio, an important factor in breeding. Farmer places instruments cable and connected probe on animal's lower flank. Transmitter, derived from satellite technology, sends harmless ultrasonic waves into animal's body and listens for echoes. Echoes occur where there are changes in body density so the receiver picks up reflected sound from the fluid surrounding fetuses in a pregnant animal. Processor interprets echoes and pregnant-not-pregnant verdict appears on screen in a matter of seconds.

Full article: http://hdl.handle.net/hdl:2060/20070018899