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Threats to UK Precision Livestock Farming identified

Reluctance by UK farmers to adopt new technologies and negative public perception are two of the potential major threats to the success of precision livestock farming, were the findings of an industry conference held at Harper Adams University recently.

harper adams university

Reluctance by UK farmers to adopt new technologies and negative public perception are two of the potential major threats to the success of precision livestock farming, were the findings of an industry conference held at Harper Adams University recently.

As well as attending presentations from a variety of guest speakers, delegates were asked to identify the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats to precision livestock farming (PLF) in the UK.

The results of this ‘SWOT’ analysis were then collated and shared to form action points for the future.

Organising the event, which aimed to look at the wider benefits precision livestock farming can bring to the agri-food supply chain, was Reader in Applied Animal Behaviour, Dr Mark Rutter.

Dr Rutter said: “As well as increasing production efficiency, precision livestock farming also enables farmers to improve animal health and welfare by using technology to continuously monitor animal behaviour.

“The aim of this conference was to bring together representatives from across the food supply chain to ensure that we are making the most of new technology.

“The delegates identified a number of potential risks to the more widespread use of technology in UK livestock production. One concern is that the general public might believe that technology is simply about making production more intensive, when in reality there are likely to be considerable benefits for animal welfare as a result of improved animal monitoring.

“As well as this, although the UK government recognises the importance of technology in agriculture, UK farmers may be slow to adopt these new technologies. This could have a negative impact on the competitiveness of UK livestock production if competitors in other countries adopt new technology more quickly. “

The SWOT analysis also concluded that an opportunity for UK PLF could be in supermarkets exploiting the technology and data to help consumers better appreciate where their food comes from. This was supported by Head of Technical for Fresh Foods at Sainsbury’s, Beth Hart, who spoke about the supermarket’s approach to quality in livestock production.

Dr Rutter added: “PLF is not necessarily about making intensive farms more intensive, it is about monitoring individual animals so that farmers can better cater for their individual needs.

“I hope that this event will have inspired the delegates to improve communication between themselves, and to establish special interest groups that can start to investigate the opportunities identified at this conference.”

Also speaking at the event was Professor of Farm Mechanisation at the Royal Agricultural University, Professor Toby Mottram; CEO of IAgrE, Alastair Taylor; and Managing Director of XL Vets, David Black. Dr Rutter delivered a presentation about the wider benefits of PLF to animal welfare and the environment.

 

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