Sm@RT: small ruminant technology – PLF and digital technology for small ruminants

International audienceRural economies across Europe, and associated countries, heavily rely on small ruminant (SR) systems, particularly in areas unsuitable for other agriculture livestock production systems. Despite recent advances in precision livestock farming (PLF) and digital technologies (DT) to facilitate farm management, there is a slow rate of uptake by SR producers. This paper presents the project Sm@RT, which aims to improve the understanding, awareness and uptake of different technologies currently available to the SR sector, and further to facilitate ‘solutions to needs’ and identification of technology gaps. Sm@RT focus is on the use of PLF and DT across all types of sheep and goat management systems and environments, to develop a long-term, self-sustainable European/International network to encouragethe use of PLF and DT across the sectors. Eight countries (UK, Ireland, Norway, Estonia, France, Italy, Hungary, Israel) are involved in Sm@rt. The paper presents the original project’s approach: an interactive transdisciplinary and multi-actor approach relying on well-equipped demonstration farms (‘digifarms’) and innovative commercial farms to foster exchanges within the SR industry. It is an iterative step-by-step approach to engage relevant actors from all stakeholder groups at the appropriate level in the knowledge exchange process, crucial to boost dissemination in a trusting environment. Sm@RT will create opportunities to collect and exchange technical and practical knowledge, with information and guidelines on how to use PLF and DT to gain the best benefits for SR systems of production. This will increase efficiency and sustainability of SR farming systems in Europe and beyond

Stakeholders’ perceptions of precision livestock farming to improve small ruminant welfare

International audienceWithin the TechCare Project, a list of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) tools, with potential for monitoring animal welfare in small ruminant production, was formulated in TechCare Countries. The opinions of stakeholders weretaken into account after consultations, following a multi-actor approach. The OPERA method was used to reach consensus between stakeholders. Overall, stakeholders’ opinions appear rather uniform. Regarding meat sheep, thehighest appreciated PLF tool was the automated weighing and low frequency identification (LF) system, followed by localisation (GPS) and 3-axial accelerometers, as well as new ultra-high-frequency (UHF) eartags and readers forseveral uses (e.g. water intake). The most suitable PLF tools selected for dairy sheep were environmental-air quality sensors (e.g. weather stations), followed by automated milk recording, LF and automatic weighing. As for dairy goats,in addition to those selected for dairy sheep, the new UHF eartags and readers were prioritized. Regardless of the production system, the most important traits of selected PLF tools were low cost and ease-of-use. Most stakeholdersalso expressed concerns on their ability to collect and handle the data generated from PLF tools for monitoring individual animals. TechCare (www.techcare-project.eu) receives funding from the European Union’s H2020 researchand innovation programme grant no. 862050

Potential of precision livestock farming in small ruminant farming systems

International audienceTae benefit of precision livestock fanning (PLF) is well recognised in the more intensive livestock sec.tors, such as dairy, pig and poultry. However, PLF has not been applied as \videly in species where animals are con5idered to have a lower individual value or with Jess ec.onomic interest, as is the case in small ruminants (SR), or in extensive management systems. This is despite the very significant production, welfare, and labour efficiency advantages that can be achieved by applying PLF in these contexts. Despite their crucial role for the rural economy, society, and environment and their importance in ecosystem services such as biodiversity and maintaining cultural heritage, SR systems face issues such as challenging clinlatic and topographie.al conditions, Jack of labour and low profitability that could be alleviated by introducing PLF technologies. Research on PLF for systems bas been recently emerging, but perhaps Jacks a joint up approach. Tiris paper present an overview of current research and potential for future applications in several countries of PLF for SR system5 on varions themes, highlighting the wealth of potentially available solutions and prototypes. The topics presented cover feed and water intake, health, disease and parasite control and mo1ritoring, fertility and reproduction management, grazing and predation control, animal locations and management monitoring, lambing and mismothering issues, as well as lactation monitoring. Issues relating to acceptability, economic relevance, technology readiness level (TRL) and industry engagement will also be discussed

Stakeholders’ perceptions of precision livestock farming to improve small ruminant welfare

International audienceWithin the TechCare Project, a list of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) tools, with potential for monitoring animal welfare in small ruminant production, was formulated in TechCare Countries. The opinions of stakeholders weretaken into account after consultations, following a multi-actor approach. The OPERA method was used to reach consensus between stakeholders. Overall, stakeholders’ opinions appear rather uniform. Regarding meat sheep, thehighest appreciated PLF tool was the automated weighing and low frequency identification (LF) system, followed by localisation (GPS) and 3-axial accelerometers, as well as new ultra-high-frequency (UHF) eartags and readers forseveral uses (e.g. water intake). The most suitable PLF tools selected for dairy sheep were environmental-air quality sensors (e.g. weather stations), followed by automated milk recording, LF and automatic weighing. As for dairy goats,in addition to those selected for dairy sheep, the new UHF eartags and readers were prioritized. Regardless of the production system, the most important traits of selected PLF tools were low cost and ease-of-use. Most stakeholdersalso expressed concerns on their ability to collect and handle the data generated from PLF tools for monitoring individual animals. TechCare (www.techcare-project.eu) receives funding from the European Union’s H2020 researchand innovation programme grant no. 862050

Stakeholders’ perceptions of precision livestock farming to improve small ruminant welfare

International audienceWithin the TechCare Project, a list of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) tools, with potential for monitoring animal welfare in small ruminant production, was formulated in TechCare Countries. The opinions of stakeholders weretaken into account after consultations, following a multi-actor approach. The OPERA method was used to reach consensus between stakeholders. Overall, stakeholders’ opinions appear rather uniform. Regarding meat sheep, thehighest appreciated PLF tool was the automated weighing and low frequency identification (LF) system, followed by localisation (GPS) and 3-axial accelerometers, as well as new ultra-high-frequency (UHF) eartags and readers forseveral uses (e.g. water intake). The most suitable PLF tools selected for dairy sheep were environmental-air quality sensors (e.g. weather stations), followed by automated milk recording, LF and automatic weighing. As for dairy goats,in addition to those selected for dairy sheep, the new UHF eartags and readers were prioritized. Regardless of the production system, the most important traits of selected PLF tools were low cost and ease-of-use. Most stakeholdersalso expressed concerns on their ability to collect and handle the data generated from PLF tools for monitoring individual animals. TechCare (www.techcare-project.eu) receives funding from the European Union’s H2020 researchand innovation programme grant no. 862050

State-of-the-art in precision livestock farming technologies for monitoring small ruminant welfare

International audienceKnowledge on the use of PLF technologies (Tech) at different levels of the value chain for small ruminants (SR) was updated. Their uses for addressing animal welfare (Care) were analysed with a scientific literature review (SciRev).Keywords (n=67) were identified and SciRev was launched by TechCare partners, using several engines. A total of 991 abstracts were identified. Records entailing both Tech and Care (TC papers) were retained and classifiedaccording to the Tech and targeted Care indicators, animal species, production type and farming system. The outcome was a shared database compiling details of 368 TC for which a corresponding Mendeley PDF database was builtand made available online. Preliminary analyses shows that most frequent Care issues are related to malnutrition (monitored by behavioural sensors), general or chronic fear, transport and heat stress. Image analysis (video camera)is the most quoted Tech, followed by GPS (mainly for animal geo-referencing), accelerometry, heart rate measures and ultrasonography. Many technologies are used to monitor the same Care issue. The range of Tech is narrower foradequate housing, where environmental sensors are often coupled with body thermal condition/emission. There are few Tech for detecting mastitis, lameness and endoparasites. Preliminary results suggest that early warning systemsbased on different interoperating sensors are needed to effectively monitor welfare issues such as malnutrition. Further research is required to match effectively Tech and prioritised Care issues in the context of TechCare project