Source: FarmingUK.com

September 10, 2013 — Throughout October and November, the Royal Agricultural Society of England is hosting a series of farm visits and workshops across the country specifically looking at the use of technologies and innovations on livestock farms.

Precision livestock farming is a tool that provides continuous automated real-time data to help monitor and manage livestock production and improve individual animal or overall performance.

Whilst it is a term that has become heavily association with arable production, there is a huge potential for its development in the livestock sector.

“Regardless of the size of operation, the monitoring and measuring of animal behaviour, performance and their environment can help farmers make more informed management decisions leading to increases in production, welfare and on-farm efficiencies,” says Charlotte Johnston, Livestock Technical Specialist for the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

The Precision Livestock Initiative is a series of events that will demonstrate the latest advances in livestock farming, allowing producers to see first-hand the impact some of these technologies have had on farm businesses.

As well as practical case studies, there will be examples of current research and plenty of opportunity for discussion on future innovations.

Whether it is through energy savings, early disease indicators, reduced feed costs, improved fertility, increases in welfare or a reduction in labour, there are plenty of ways in which precision livestock farming can improve farm efficiency.

Dates for your diary:

15th October – Precision Dairy Production, Iron Acton, Bristol.

30th October – Precision Indoor Pig Production, Harrogate, Yorkshire.

6th November – Precision Outdoor Pig Production, Diss, Norfolk.

13th November – Precision Poultry Production, Derby, Derbyshire.

20th November – Precision Beef Production, Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire,

27th November – Precision Sheep Production, Penrith, Cumbria.