Logging of Time Elements with Digital Video Technology in Baby Piglet Production

Manpower is an important expense factor in baby piglet production. A thorough knowledge of operational and element related time requirements is crucial for the calculation of economic costs and for labour organization. Time measurements are influenced by the chosen measuring method. Digital video technology was used comparatively in this study to quantify any possible effects of a timekeeper. Digital video screening can be applied more professionally for the collection of element specific standard times and for indoor monitoring than analogue screening, especially when home and stable separated by a great distance. For digital recording, special software with video capture cards, which can be installed on most desktop PCs or laptops, is required. Data transfer, editing and archiving is easier and more flexible, and picture quality, resolution and colour values are higher. By using the motion detection function, controlled via motion sensitivity, the masking of activation zones, and a deactivation delay, recording can be restricted to immediate activities of the employee in and around the farrowing crates, reducing recording time from 24 hours per day to a half an hour per day. Work time analysis on the element basis can be easily and efficiently controlled through the integrated analysis module of the video software. For nine of the 15 elements, statistically proven differences between video technology based and timekeeper based standard times could be compiled. According to these results, employees do motor-stressed work processes more quickly, and precision-stressed work more slowly, when directly monitored by a timekeeper. Standard times showed differences between 61.6 % and minus 198 %. Moral and intrinsic motives of workers are considered to be responsible for these alterations in motivation and accuracy. These results in lower work time calculations based upon standard times taken by a timekeeper, therefore requiring a performance higher than the actual norm. More extensive research is necessary to comprehensively quantify and ascertain the extent.