Global demand for animal-based food has led to a sharp increase in livestock production, with over 93 billion animals slaughtered annually. Meat and milk production is expected to double by 2050, requiring larger farms with thousands of animals. While livestock plays a vital role in global food security and livelihoods, its sustainability faces challenges from climate change and large-scale farming practices. Maintaining animal health in such conditions is difficult, with infections becoming more common and concerns over antibiotic use rising. Continuous monitoring of animal health is essential but challenging due to labor shortages. Sustainable farming practices and prioritizing animal welfare are critical to safeguarding human and animal health while reducing environmental impact.

Understanding the Challenges & Demands of Working With Livestock

Environmental Concerns

Animal agriculture is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, responsible for about 14.5% of total emissions, surpassing transportation in pollution levels. The livestock sector emits carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and ammonia (NH₃), with methane and nitrous oxide having particularly strong warming effects. The industry drives deforestation, occupying one-third of global land and consuming two-thirds of agricultural land, leading to biodiversity loss. Additionally, it significantly contributes to water pollution and inefficient water use, accounting for 55% of water consumption in the U.S.

To mitigate emissions, strategies include improving farm efficiency, genetic selection for high-performing animals, precision livestock farming (PLF) for monitoring health and nutrition, and optimizing feed practices. While these approaches can reduce emissions, they may introduce new challenges, such as animal health risks and reduced farmer expertise in husbandry.

Climate Change

Climate change affects livestock through temperature fluctuations, humidity changes, and extreme weather events. These impacts lead to reduced feed intake, increased disease prevalence, and altered animal behavior. Warmer climates also accelerate the spread of vector-borne diseases and gastrointestinal parasites, further threatening livestock health.

Heat Stress

Heat stress occurs when animals struggle to dissipate heat, reducing productivity, fertility, and overall welfare. Susceptibility varies by species, breed, and metabolic rate, with high-yield dairy cows being particularly vulnerable. Physiological effects include increased respiration, reduced feed intake, and metabolic disorders. Heat stress also weakens immune function, lowers reproductive success, and degrades the quality of animal products like milk and eggs. Additionally, extreme heat events, such as heat waves, increase mortality rates among livestock.

Applications & Benefits of Utilizing PLF in Livestock Production

Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technology leverages advanced technologies and data analytics to enhance livestock management, improving animal health, welfare, and efficiency while minimizing environmental impact. PLF involves real-time monitoring using cameras, sensors, and AI-powered data analysis, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about animal care and agricultural sustainability.

Sensors play a key role in tracking animal behavior, health indicators (e.g., vital signs, movement, feeding patterns), and environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, humidity, air quality). These devices can be attached to animals, installed in barns or pastures, or deployed via drones. AI-driven analysis detects patterns or anomalies, helping farmers respond proactively to stress, illness, and welfare concerns.

Automation technologies, such as automated feeding systems, milking robots, and waste disposal systems, streamline labor and ensure accurate livestock management. Remote monitoring through mobile apps allows farmers to track real-time data, receive alerts, and manage operations efficiently. PLF also integrates with business management software for inventory control, financial planning, and regulatory compliance.

By detecting stress and disease early, PLF reduces methane emissions, veterinary costs, and treatment expenses while enhancing animal welfare. Farms utilizing PLF technology demonstrate commitment to sustainability and ethical animal treatment, fostering public trust and support. Ultimately, PLF improves productivity, decision-making, and overall farm sustainability, transforming livestock farming into a more resilient and efficient system.

Challenges of Utilizing PLF in Livestock Production

PLF (Precision Livestock Farming) technologies offer benefits such as improved animal welfare, increased production efficiency, and reduced environmental impact. However, they also present several challenges:

Challenges for Farmers:

• Technical Complexity & Validation: PLF technologies must be tested in diverse environments, but factors like weather, animal location, and limited rural internet access hinder data collection. Issues like short battery life and unsuitable infrastructure can further reduce efficiency.

• High Costs & Investment Needs: Farmers must invest in sensors, monitoring devices, and infrastructure upgrades, with additional expenses for training and technical support. Larger farms with more resources are more likely to benefit.

• Data Overload & Integration: The vast amount of data generated by PLF technologies can be overwhelming. Many systems operate independently and require expertise to interpret.

• Data Security & Regulation Compliance: PLF requires storing sensitive farm data, raising concerns about cybersecurity and legal compliance.

• Overreliance on Automation: Heavy dependence on automated systems risks diminishing farmers' intuition and expertise.

• Impact on Farmer Autonomy & Workforce: The shift toward digitalization may alter the agricultural sector’s appeal to new entrants and affect stockmanship skills.

Animal Welfare Considerations

• Reduced Human-Animal Interaction: Automation can weaken the human-animal bond, leading to potential welfare issues. Direct contact is beneficial for both farmers and animals.

• Objectification of Animals: Monitoring technologies may treat animals as mere data points, neglecting their intrinsic value and welfare needs.

• Algorithm Bias & Transparency Issues: PLF relies on AI-driven decision-making, which can introduce biases, misinterpret individual animal needs, and reduce accountability.

• Suitability for Different Species: Generic PLF devices may not fit all species, potentially causing discomfort or behavioral changes.

• Farm Management Adjustments: Some farms might modify practices to fit technology rather than prioritize welfare, such as altering lighting for cameras.

Environmental Impact

• While PLF aims to improve sustainability, concerns include increased energy use, e-waste, and carbon emissions related to manufacturing, maintenance, and disposal of digital systems.

Despite these challenges, PLF has the potential to revolutionize livestock farming. Addressing concerns regarding cost, data management, animal welfare, and environmental impact is crucial for its responsible and sustainable integration.

Legislative Framework Regarding Animal Welfare and Climate Change

In the European Union

The agri-food sector's growth, driven by technological advancements, has underscored the need for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) initiatives. The European Union (EU) is working to integrate sustainable practices in agriculture, aiming to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) outlined in the 2030 Agenda. Efforts focus on animal welfare, reducing industrial pollution, and preventing deforestation. Specific regulations, such as the EU’s Animal Health Law and the EU Green Deal, target livestock farming’s environmental impact and emphasize traceability, disease management, and food safety.

The EU also addresses animal welfare through regulations governing transportation, breeding, and slaughter, ensuring animals' well-being during these processes. The Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) promotes sustainability and innovation in agriculture, supporting digital technologies and smart farming practices through research programs. However, despite these efforts, the EU’s legislative framework still faces challenges in fully ensuring animal welfare across all stages of the agri-food chain.

In The United States of America

In the United States, there are several efforts and regulations addressing the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) aspects of the agri-food sector, but the landscape remains more fragmented compared to the European Union. The environmental impact of agriculture, especially livestock farming, on climate change is becoming more recognized. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) are involved in initiatives aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions, promoting sustainable practices, and supporting carbon sequestration through soil health and regenerative farming methods. The U.S. Farm Bill, which is updated every five years, includes provisions for financial incentives for farmers adopting environmentally friendly practices, such as cover cropping and soil conservation. Regarding animal welfare, laws in the U.S. are mainly managed at the state level, with some federal oversight, like the Animal Welfare Act, which regulates the treatment of animals in research and exhibition. However, the treatment of livestock in food production, especially in factory farming, is not comprehensively covered by federal law, though proposals like the Farm System Reform Act seek to improve animal welfare standards. On the corporate governance front, U.S. companies are increasingly pressured to be transparent about their supply chains and sustainability efforts, often adopting reporting frameworks like the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) or Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) guidelines. Many major corporations are also adopting no-deforestation policies, particularly in beef and palm oil supply chains, in response to consumer demand. Additionally, the U.S. has seen a rise in innovation through initiatives such as Precision Agriculture, which uses technology to optimize farming practices and reduce environmental impacts. The USDA and private investors are funding research into sustainable farming technologies, including regenerative agriculture, which focuses on soil health and biodiversity. Despite these advancements, the regulatory landscape in the U.S. remains uneven, as many regulations are handled at the state level, with no centralized federal framework for ESG in the agri-food sector. While some states, like California, have introduced stricter environmental and animal welfare laws, these are not always replicated nationally. As such, there is growing recognition of the need for stronger, uniform federal legislation to enforce ESG principles across the industry.

Evaluating the Modernity of Animal Welfare and Climate Change Legislation in Both the EU and the US

The need for legislative protection regarding animal welfare has been acknowledged since 1974, with significant regulations, such as Regulation (EC) No 1255/97 and Regulation (EC) No 1/2005, in place to safeguard animals during transport. However, these laws, which have been active for over two decades, have not kept pace with scientific, technological, and social advancements or the growing sustainability challenges. To address these gaps, the European Union has proposed a new regulation as of December 2023 to update animal transport laws. This proposal aims to enhance animal welfare, particularly for animals being transported between third countries and the EU, and includes provisions for real-time monitoring of transport vehicles and data protection, aligning with other EU initiatives. The EU’s approach to animal welfare, climate change mitigation, and modernization of agriculture is also reflected in Regulations (EU) 2018/848 and 2021/2115, which promote organic farming standards and adaptation to climate challenges.

Despite these efforts, the EU's regulatory approach is slow to adapt to the rapid technological evolution of the agri-food sector. The need for a “legislative leap” to harmonize animal welfare regulations with technological advances and sustainability goals is becoming more apparent.

In the United States, while animal welfare during transport is also regulated through laws like the Animal Welfare Act and the Twenty-Eight Hour Law (which limits the time animals can be transported without rest), similar gaps exist. While certain states, such as California, have implemented stricter animal welfare laws, the federal system lacks a comprehensive, nationwide standard. Moreover, growing concerns about animal welfare, sustainability, and climate change are pushing U.S. lawmakers and industry leaders to explore new regulations, especially in light of increasing advancements in technology, such as real-time monitoring systems in livestock transport, which could align with evolving practices in Europe.

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The study's authors conclude that precision livestock farming (PLF) offers a promising vision for the future of sustainable agriculture, combining data and technology to provide a systematic approach to management and decision-making. By collecting, processing, and applying information, PLF can help improve the efficiency, safety, and cost-effectiveness of factory farming while modernizing livestock production. However, overcoming challenges related to cost, complexity, and animal welfare is essential to fully unlock its potential and ensure widespread adoption. Integrating PLF with sustainable agriculture principles presents a balanced approach that aligns technology with sustainability, meeting global food demands while safeguarding the planet and animal welfare. Future PLF research should foster cross-institutional and interdisciplinary collaboration, with a focus on social sciences, smart technologies, and minimizing the environmental impact of animal husbandry to drive sustainable progress.