Potential of precision livestock farming in small ruminant farming systems

Tae benefit of precision livestock fanning (PLF) is well recognised in the more intensive livestock sec.tors, such as dairy, pig and poultry. However, PLF has not been applied as \videly in species where animals are con5idered to have a lower individual value or with Jess ec.onomic interest, as is the case in small ruminants (SR), or in extensive management systems. This is despite the very significant production, welfare, and labour efficiency advantages that can be achieved by applying PLF in these contexts. Despite their crucial role for the rural economy, society, and environment and their importance in ecosystem services such as biodiversity and maintaining cultural heritage, SR systems face issues such as challenging clinlatic and topographie.al conditions, Jack of labour and low profitability that could be alleviated by introducing PLF technologies. Research on PLF for systems bas been recently emerging, but perhaps Jacks a joint up approach. Tiris paper present an overview of current research and potential for future applications in several countries of PLF for SR system5 on varions themes, highlighting the wealth of potentially available solutions and prototypes. The topics presented cover feed and water intake, health, disease and parasite control and mo1ritoring, fertility and reproduction management, grazing and predation control, animal locations and management monitoring, lambing and mismothering issues, as well as lactation monitoring. Issues relating to acceptability, economic relevance, technology readiness level (TRL) and industry engagement will also be discussed.