Introduction to IoT in livestock monitoring and dairy farming
IoT in livestock monitoring helps to keep farm animals safe with the help of GPS, sensors, and communication systems. This helps the farmers to always keep a check on farm animals using IoT devices remotely. In this case, it uses tracker devices to keep the animal’s health safe and observe the patterns of pasture management. The sensors in livestock send automatic updates about animals and provide information about the cattle’s health. It monitors parameters such as blood pressure, temperature, heart rate, and the location of animals. The sensors respond to the alerts and monitor both the drinking and eating habits of animals.
Benefits of IoT livestock monitoring and dairy farming
To maintain the health of cattle and enhance the quality of dairy products, all things considered, it is important to regularly monitor the health (Bhyratae, et al., 2024). However, it is not possible to check the daily health of cattle, especially on big farms where there are insufficient workers to monitor each animal. With the help of IoT devices, it is possible to check parameters such as skin temperatures, heart rate sensors, and the motion of animals. The useful information is driven by activity levels, environmental temperatures, and sleep patterns of cattle.
GPS based livestock tracking
The tracking moments of livestock have become important in modern farming. The IoT devices with built-in GPS tracking enhance the features to monitor the location. This not only helps to track the patterns but also locate and rescue the missed animals. Formats also enhance the boundaries for gazing areas and keep the animals safe.
Environmental monitoring for good living conditions
IoT technologies enhance comprehensive monitoring of environmental factors in the livestock area. This includes conditions such as quality of air, temperature, ventilation, and lighting to ensure animals are safe and secure with the proper health conditions and productivity.
Health monitoring and detection of illness
Health monitoring and detection of illness, the IoT devices monitor the initial signs such as respiration and heart rate issues (Dawsey, 2017). With the analysis of data, farmers identify the early signs of illness and enhance the treatments before the condition gets into a worse stage.
Feeding process optimization
Systems make sure that they are feeding enough food to an animal without reducing and ensuring good nutrition. Moreover, this process enhances the health and productivity of livestock and helps in optimal nourishment.
Remote control and predictive maintenance
IoT technology, farmers remotely control the environmental factors such as temperature in livestock areas. Also, the automation process helps to efficient management in animal welfare. In addition. by analyzing the data, it schedules the equipment and repairs in the cattle area (Krishnakaarthik, Sundari, Ajeeth, Nandhini, & Vanniyaperumal, 2019). This approach also eliminates the costly breakdowns and it extends the lifespan.
IoT livestock monitoring and dairy farming
Challenges of IoT livestock monitoring and dairy farming
Integration with existing farm management systems
Since many farms are established with management practices and tools. Integrating new IoT solutions would be tough and critical. There are issues regarding compatibility and synchronization to adapt to these technologies.
Cost consideration
To purchase and install the IoT devices requires a huge initial investment (Rupareliya, 2023). Moreover, it requires financial planning for infrastructure maintenance and labor cost.
Data security and privacy issues
The IoT system collects and transmits the data in the operations of livestock and personal data of farmers. In this case, to protect the data, it requires safeguarding the practices and maintenance of confidentiality to eliminate unauthorized access to the devices.
Use case
Automatic milking system
Automatic milking system revolutionizes dairy farming by increasing milk production and farm management, unlike the traditional milking method. Instead of replacement of conventional milking parlors, the automatic milking system offers a comprehensive approach with the usage of IoT devices and automation support. It uses advanced sensors and machine-to-machine communication to feed the lactation stages and enhance milk production levels. The data gathered with the help of sensors and variable devices provide required information in real-time monitoring and enhance production (Tangorra, Buoio, Calcante, Bassi, & Costa, 2024). For instance, a european country has adopted this technology and helps many farmers in batch milking.
Automatic milking system with IoT
Future of IoT in livestock monitoring and Dairy farm
As the technologies continue to grow, so do the developments in the systems. Integration with artificial intelligence and IoT boosts disease outbreaks and enhances the health of cattle. In addition, with the implementation of blockchain technology, IoT devices revolutionize farming. It also provides a mutable record for enhancing the safety of food and trust in customers. This ensures a safe and secure transport of the digital system. IoT devices also enhances with 5G technology to enhance and monitor the herds in real time and give instant updates on livestock.
Conclusion
There is a huge influence of IoT on both livestock monitoring and dairy farming. There is a substantial advantage that enhances animal welfare, streamlines operations, and increases productivity. In summary, although there are a few challenges in the adoption of this technology, such as high cost, technical hurdles, and data overload. With the help of perfect planning and adequate investment, these are managed. To conclude, as IoT continues to enhance livestock management, accordingly it is expected to be accessible to all agricultural industries. Thus, the shift towards automated systems enhances the transformation and proper implementation helps dairy farmers to achieve and increase productivity and the healthy life of cattle.
References
Bhyratae, S. A., Basthikodi, M., B, S., Naik, S. N., Nayak, R., & Naik, M. (2024). Iot Based Livestock Monitoring With Location Tracking And Smart Feeding. International Journal of creative research thoughts, 12(11), 77-86. Retrieved from https://www.ijcrt.org/papers/IJCRT2411683.pdf
Dawsey, P. (2017, Apr 19). Using IoT to Increase Efficiency, Productivity for Livestock. Retrieved from Globalagtechinitiative: https://www.globalagtechinitiative.com/in-field-technologies/sensors/using-iot-to-increase-efficiency-productivity-for-livestock/
Krishnakaarthik, T., Sundari, M. A., Ajeeth, R., Nandhini, K., & Vanniyaperumal, A. (2019). Dairy Farm House Monitoring based on IoT Technology. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, 7(1), 1-6. Retrieved from https://www.ijert.org/research/dairy-farm-house-monitoring-based-on-iot-technology-IJERTCONV7IS01007.pdf
Rupareliya, P. K. (2023, Aug 18). IoT-Enabled Livestock Management: Revolutionizing Animal Tracking and Monitoring. Retrieved from Medium: https://pratik-rupareliya.medium.com/iot-enabled-livestock-management-revolutionizing-animal-tracking-and-monitoring-5949a3ecfcfd
Tangorra, F. M., Buoio, E., Calcante, A., Bassi, A., & Costa, A. (2024). Internet of Things (IoT): Sensors Application in Dairy Cattle Farming. MDPI, 14(21), 1-24. Retrieved from https://www.mdpi.com/2076-2615/14/21/3071
Keywords
IoT devices, Livestock monitoring, Animal health, Dairy Farming, Internet of Things.
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