Precision livestock farming: an overview on the application in extensive systems

Abstract

Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) represents a significant evolution in the livestock sector, promising to transform farms management improving production efficiency and sustainability, products quality, working conditions and animal welfare. While PLF is increasingly utilised under controlled condition typically linked to intensive livestock systems, its implementation in extensive livestock farms - where animals are primarily raised outdoor - is a challenge. Extensive systems, which cover approximately 67% of global agricultural land, have significant socio-economic importance worldwide, both in terms of food supply and the provision and maintenance of ecosystem services. At the farm level, Precision Livestock Extensive Farming (PLEF) - including the use of wearable sensors, environmental monitoring equipment, and remote sensing - can be widely employed in production monitoring, solving management problems, addressing logistical challenges and improving efficiency in resource management and finally in decision-making processes. Through text mining of 710 scientific articles published between 1980 and September 2024, this review identifies key trends, technologies, and gaps in current research and management approaches. Major findings highlight the prevalence of sensor technologies for monitoring animal behaviour and pasture quality, principally from Australia and United States. The review underscores the potential of PLF to enhance sustainable production in extensive systems, but also calls for more research on the integration of advanced data analytics and remote sensing technologies, including edge computing. The findings aim to guide future research and practical implementations, fostering the development of sustainable livestock farming practices globally with a view to multispecies approaches tacking into account also wildlife-livestock interactions.HIGHLIGHTS PLEF shifts livestock system management from manual to (semi-) automated. Text mining shows the evolution and spread of PLEF literature over the years. PLEF tools help address environmental and livestock system challenges.

Keywords

• smart farming
• precision technologies
• grazing
• pasture quality
• remote sensing