Machine Learning and Modern Livestock Farming

The emergence of Artificial Intelligence and, in particular, Machine Learning in modern society is becoming more and more noticeable. Automation, remote data management, and the operation of Machine Vision can lead the dairy industry to more efficient and sustainable production. In particular, the operation of smart tools is based on the Internet of Things, a network consisting of devices such as space sensors, mobile phones, and computers that exchange data via WiFi, Bluetooth, or NFC. Data collection and processing are done based on the algorithm installed based on the farmer’s requirements. 

Internet of Things in Modern Livestock Farming

The farmer has the possibility, without his daily physical presence, to control and monitor the conditions on his farm in real-time. This is done by installing environmental sensors that collect data regarding the farm’s temperature, humidity rate, and air quality (CO2 and O2 levels). Furthermore, by integrating body sensors in a part of the animal that does not impede its natural movement (neck, leg, ear), it is possible to monitor in real-time parameters related to the animal’s health and to make an early prediction of the occurrence of an illness. The animal’s health is monitored based on weight, respiration, metabolism, and feeding levels. Consequently, the farmer can treat and administer antibiotic drugs in time to prevent the spread to the whole herd. Finally, knowing the animal’s living conditions remotely saves the farmer time that can be spent on other tasks. It is also a tool that, after collecting a large amount of data, can accurately predict the performance of the dairy season. 

Robotic Milking Systems 

Milking is a painful and undesirable process for most animals, affecting their mental state and milk yield. Furthermore, manual milking can result in cross-contamination between animals and the spread of unwanted diseases such as mastitis. To address these primary problems, automatic robotic milking systems have been developed for each animal, with integrated recording systems and thermal imaging cameras that monitor the animal’s behavior during the process, breathing, and heat stress levels. 

Automatic Feeding System

Feeding animals directly affects their health, nutritional value, and the yield of milk produced. It is, therefore, necessary to feed all the animals in the herd according to their needs, which are determined by their weight, age, pregnancy stage, and mobility. For this purpose, an automatic feeding system has been developed, which, for its operation, requires prior mapping of the area to know where to distribute the feed and the correct quantity and to bypass any obstacles that may exist on the farm. It is a model that ensures the feeding of animals based on individual needs and helps the farmer predict the quantity and quality of feed to choose from. 

New technologies in modern livestock farming can drastically change the industry. Tailored to each farm’s requirements, they can reduce the waste of useful resources and automate processes that would otherwise take more time.