Precision livestock farming uses technology to optimize labor and improve bird health, well-being and productivity in the poultry industry.
“It’s quite clear to us that we need to take the responsibility of collecting data from all the farms and houses, bringing all of this data into one single place where the data is structured so it can be used for precision livestock farming,” Simon Johnson, Director, Business Development, Big Dutchman Group, said during the Animal AgTech Innovation Summit.
“We need to use these tools to turn data into decisions.”
The concept of precision livestock farming includes the use of cameras, microphones and other sensors to track and monitor animal health, as well as computer software, artificial intelligence and other forms of automation to analyze the data.
Digital technologies help optimize labor
The poultry industry faced increased workforce challenges over the past year and a half due to the COVID-19 global pandemic. As a result, interest in technology solutions that can help reduce labor issues and improve worker safety has accelerated.
Digital technologies can supplement labor on poultry farms, freeing up workers to concentrate on bird health, welfare and productivity.
“If you look at precision livestock farming, farmers need data,” Johnson explained. “There’s no doubt that we will see more automation on farms so that we can collect the proper data and eliminate some of the less productive tasks and leave more time for the workers still on the farm.”
Another possible benefit of digital technologies is biosecurity. The ability to monitor birds remotely can help reduce foot traffic into houses, preventing the spread of transmissible diseases.
Precision livestock farming can be a valuable tool when it comes to poultry welfare, monitoring feed and water consumption, serving as an early warning sign for disease outbreaks and collect data on poultry behaviors in the house.
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