Field Implementation of Precision Livestock Farming: Selected Proceedings from the 2nd U.S. Precision Livestock Farming Conference

Abstract

Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) involves the real-time monitoring of images, sounds, and other biological, physiological, and environmental parameters to assess and improve animal health and welfare within intensive and extensive production systems. Precision Livestock Farming systems have the potential to empower farmers to make better management decisions, based upon objective measures, during an animal production cycle. The potential benefits from PLF systems can only be realized if these systems are adopted in practice by livestock and poultry producers. The advancement of research in digital agriculture, and, more specifically, PLF technologies, over the past decade has been very impressive; however, the field implementation of PLF technology has not occurred at the same rate as research advancements.