Animal Molecular Breeding 2024, Vol.14, No.2, 187-195 http://animalscipublisher.com/index.php/amb 187 Review and Progress Open Access Advancements in Precision Livestock Farming: Technologies and Applications QinengSi BIotechnology Reseach Center, Cuixi Academy of Biotechnology, Zhuji, 311800, Zhejiang, China Corresponding email: qineng.si@cuixi.org Animal Molecular Breeding, 2024, Vol.14, No.2 doi: 10.5376/amb.2024.14.0020 Received: 17 Feb., 2024 Accepted: 14 Apr., 2024 Published: 29 Apr., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Si, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Si Q., 2024, Advancements in precision livestock farming: technolgies and applications, Animal Molecular Breeding, 14(2): 187-195 (doi: 10.5376/amb.2024.14.0020r) Abstract Precision livestock farming (PLF) has become a transformative method in modern agriculture, offering more efficient and sustainable production through advanced technologies while improving animal welfare. This study provides a comprehensive review of the key technologies supporting PLF, including sensor technologies, data analytics, artificial intelligence, the internet of things (IoT), and robotics, and explores the applications of PLF in health monitoring, disease prevention, precision feeding, reproductive management, and environmental sustainability. A case study of a dairy farm demonstrates the integration of these technologies and their impact on productivity and animal welfare. The study also discusses the challenges and limitations associated with PLF, such as technical, economic, and ethical barriers, emphasizing the future directions and emerging technologies of PLF, highlighting its potential for revolutionary impact on livestock farming. The findings underscore the importance of continued research and innovation to address challenges and fully harness the advantages of PLF. Keywords Precision livestock farming; Sensor technologies; Data analytics; Dairy farming; Sustainability 1 Introduction Precision livestock farming (PLF) refers to the use of advanced technologies and data-driven approaches to monitor and manage livestock production at an individual animal level (Vranken and Berckmans, 2017). Since its inception in the early 2000s, PLF has evolved significantly, driven by advancements in Industry 4.0 and the Internet of Things (IoT) (Morrone et al., 2022), The concept of PLF encompasses a range of technologies, including sensors, automated systems, and data analytics, aimed at improving the efficiency, productivity, and welfare of livestock (Halachmi and Guarino, 2016). Early applications of PLF, such as electronic milk meters and behavior-based estrus detection, have paved the way for more sophisticated systems that can monitor various physiological and behavioral parameters in real-time (Vaintrub et al., 2020). The importance of PLF in modern agriculture cannot be overstated (Werkheiser, 2018). As global demand for animal products continues to rise, there is an increasing need for sustainable and efficient farming practices. PLF offers a solution by enabling farmers to optimize resource use, reduce waste, and improve animal health and welfare (Norton et al., 2019). By providing continuous and real-time monitoring of individual animals, PLF helps farmers make informed decisions that enhance productivity and sustainability (Monteiro et al., 2021). Moreover, PLF technologies can address economic pressures by allowing farmers to manage larger herds more effectively, thus bridging the gap between the farmer and the animal (Tzanidakis et al., 2021). The integration of PLF into livestock farming also supports the broader goals of environmental, economic, and social sustainability (Lovarelli et al., 2020). This study provides a comprehensive overview of the advancements in PLF technologies and their research applications across different livestock production systems, exploring the current state of PLF, including the latest technological developments and their practical implementations in various farming contexts, examining the benefits and challenges associated with the adoption of PLF, with a focus on its impact on animal welfare, farm productivity, and sustainability, with the aim of highlighting the potential of PLF to transform modern livestock farming and identifing directions for future research and development.
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