Practical Precision Livestock Farming

Precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies have been heavily promoted in the past, but the implementation of these technologies is not easy. Numerous technical challenges need to be solved before PLF technologies will supply the desired information in a reliable and consistent way. Farm implementations regularly encounter difficulties. The practical experience associated with these technologies do not always match their theoretical potential. 93 authors from 16 countries were asked to report on the actual practical experiences technology developers and users had under farm conditions to try and understand this difference between practice and theory. This book aims to eliminate the 'mystery' behind the 'Smart' PLF tools, and presents the hard facts reported by individuals that have practical experience using these technologies. The book also explores various aspects of PLF, including the (1) challenges associated with developing and using various technologies, (2) the importance of training and ethical aspects of PLF tools, and (3) the difficulties related to commercialisation of PLF systems. We hope that the honest presentation of the pros and cons of PLF management tools will help the supporters of precision farming to better use and interact with modern technologies, and thus sustain viable livestock production worldwide.