Creating added value in Precision Livestock Farming: from sensors to decisions

Sensor technology and data-driven systems are profoundly reshaping food production by enabling continuous monitoring, automation, and smarter decision-making across a wide range of sectors. In agriculture, particularly in livestock production, these advances are equally transformative, allowing producers to capture processes and outcomes with a level of detail that was previously impossible. Sensors such as accelerometers, GPS trackers, environmental sensors, and computer vision systems, among others, provide detailed insights into animal behaviour, health, welfare, environmental impact, and performance at scale.

The application of sensors and data-driven technology in livestock production is commonly known as Precision Livestock Farming (PLF). PLF systems allow farmers to detect diseases earlier, tailor feeding strategies, and reduce environmental impacts through better control of emissions and resource consumption, helping the livestock industry satisfy increasing demands from consumers for sustainability, welfare, and environmental responsibility.

Despite the multiple advantages of PLF technologies, their implementation can be challenging. High installation and maintenance costs may be unaffordable for small and medium-sized farms, and many systems require stable internet connectivity and reliable power, which are not always available in rural areas. Regulations on data ownership, privacy, and the ethical use of monitoring technologies remain limited. Another barrier to wider adoption is processing large volumes of data and creating added value from it, as farmers may lack the tools and understanding to use this information effectively for sustainability in environmental, economic, and social terms.