scholarly journals Smart Technologies Lead to Smart Answers? On the Claim of Smart Sensing Technologies to Tackle Animal Related Societal Concerns in Europe Over Current Pig Husbandry Systems

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mona F. Giersberg ◽  
Franck L. B. Meijboom

Current pig production systems in Europe are subject to public criticism. At the same time, Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies, which allow for automated animal monitoring are entering commercial pig farms. With their claim of improving animal health and welfare, these innovations may respond to public concerns. However, they may raise problems of societal acceptance themselves. In this review, we investigate whether the available literature allows for an analysis to which extent PLF can mitigate or reinforce societal concerns related to pig production. We first analyze papers on pig husbandry systems in general, and then those on PLF as an innovation in animal production. In general, there is a tension between citizens and farmers. Citizens hold rather negative attitudes whereas farmers evaluate pig production more positively. Literature on attitudes of other actors, such as veterinarians, is missing. Information on the attitudes toward PLF of stakeholders other than farmers is lacking. Possible challenges of societal acceptance of PLF and chances to overcome these are only discussed in theoretical approaches. We conclude that to analyze the role of PLF in addressing societal concerns over pig production, there is a need for further empirical research including attention to underlying values of all stakeholders. This should focus on the attitudes of the currently missing stakeholders toward pig husbandry in general, and on those of the wider society toward PLF. Only by means of additional data, it will be possible to evaluate whether PLF has the potential to address societal concerns related to pig production.

2014 ◽  
pp. 199-219
Author(s):  
Warren Come ◽  
Philippine Dianne Zamora

The study was conducted to obtain a baseline data of different livestock production systems, vegetation survey and animal environment interactions in the marginal upland in Eastern Visayas. A total of 280 farmer respondents were interviewed using an interview questionnaire. Vegetation species were gathered and validated with its genus and species group. Animal environment interactions particularly with chicken were also assessed. Results showed that chickens were the dominant species present in the study sites compared to other species. But in terms of total livestock units (TLU), buffaloes have higher TLU compared to other species of animals. Farmer’s income is mostly from the agricultural income with less than 20% of agricultural income was obtained from livestock farming. Livestock only serves as buffer income incase crops will fail. Different husbandry systems are used by the farmers such as free range system for chicken, ducks and turkeys while pigs are raised in confinement or caged system. Ruminant productions are raised in a tethering system of production. Natural breeding practice is still practiced by farmers and traditional animal health practices are still evident in this marginal upland. Ruminants graze in different vegetation diversity in grasslands and under the coconut trees. Likewise, plant residues of banana, coconut and root crops are also used as feed resources of farmer respondents. Grass and herb species that are palatable to the animals are diverse also especially in grassland areas. Availability of feed resources in the area plays a crucial role also on how animals interact with the environment and may affect also with their feeding behavior when there are changes in the climatic conditions. Preliminary result of the study on animal environment interaction shows that chickens tend to change their feeding itineraries due to availability of feed resources, environmental temperature and rainfall.


Author(s):  
Alistair Stott ◽  
Bouda Vosough Ahmadi

Abstract Science can help us understand what animals want and economics can provide the understanding of human motivation needed to deliver such wants. In our view, what needs further development in future is for economics and information/communication science and technology to channel awareness into appropriate action. This chapter elaborates on this idea by providing some illustrative examples. Focusing on animal health and welfare, it argues that there is much scope for improvement in profit and welfare on commercial farms simply by adopting the best disease management approach available. We also emphasize the importance of systems modelling and operations research (OR) in the future to ensure that animal welfare taps into the growing opportunities that developments in these methods are likely to bring. The chapter also argues that OR can provide a bridge between animal welfare science, economics and business to deliver improvements in animal welfare through food markets. The importance of big data and precision livestock farming in livestock production/reproduction, animal health and welfare, and the environmental impact of livestock production are also discussed. New genetic approaches to optimize livestock resilience and efficiency are highlighted. We argue that tackling difficult problems, such as sustainability (that encompasses animal welfare alongside environment and climate change), efficiency and resilience in farm animal production systems, is and will remain a vital focus of research in the agri-food sector. Research methods and governance still need to change to properly reflect this. It is envisaged that animal welfare will be affected by these developments and should, wherever appropriate, be explicitly considered.


2015 ◽  
Vol 66 (12) ◽  
pp. 1213 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. R. Dechen ◽  
Q. A. C. Carmello ◽  
F. A. Monteiro ◽  
R. C. Nogueirol

The Second International Symposium on Magnesium was held in São Paulo, Brazil, in November 2014. An overview of the role of magnesium in food production was the theme of the opening session of that meeting. This paper considers agricultural production systems, mainly in terms of sustainability, fertiliser-use efficiency and food security, with emphasis on soils of tropical regions. Magnesium in soils and plants, as well as in relation to other nutrients and to other agricultural production factors, is especially covered. Finally, the role of magnesium is considered in terms of plant and animal health, nutrient management and the need of future research.


Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (10) ◽  
pp. 1779 ◽  
Author(s):  
Henry Buller ◽  
Harry Blokhuis ◽  
Kees Lokhorst ◽  
Mathieu Silberberg ◽  
Isabelle Veissier

Although there now exists a wide range of policies, instruments and regulations, in Europe and increasingly beyond, to improve and safeguard the welfare of farmed animals, there remain persistent and significant welfare issues in virtually all types of animal production systems ranging from high prevalence of lameness to limited possibilities to express natural behaviours. Protocols and indicators, such as those provided by Welfare Quality, mean that animal welfare can nowadays be regularly measured and surveyed at the farm level. However, the digital revolution in agriculture opens possibilities to quantify animal welfare using multiple sensors and data analytics. This allows daily monitoring of animal welfare at the group and individual animal level, for example, by measuring changes in behaviour patterns or physiological parameters. The present paper explores the potential for developing innovations in digital technologies to improve the management of animal welfare at the farm, during transport or at slaughter. We conclude that the innovations in Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) offer significant opportunities for a more holistic, evidence-based approach to the monitoring and surveillance of farmed animal welfare. To date, the emphasis in much PLF technologies has been on animal health and productivity. This paper argues that this emphasis should not come to define welfare. What is now needed is a coming together of industry, scientists, food chain actors, policy-makers and NGOs to develop and use the promise of PLF for the creative and effective improvement of farmed animal welfare.


2019 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 15-17
Author(s):  
Mohammad Zahid Mustafa ◽  
Hafiz Muhammad Arif ◽  
Abdul Nasir ◽  
Dad Muhammad Anwar ◽  
Muhammad Din Mandokhail ◽  
...  

Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan with almost 44% of the country land. Most of the area is rangeland and only 5-7 % area is hardly cultivable and more than 70% population depend upon livestock for their livelihood. Animal rearing is the centuries old occupation of farmers. The province produces 45% and 22% sheep and goat population of the country. Different diseases such as, Enterotoxaemia, sheep and goat Pox, Contagious Caprine Pleuropneumonia, Anthrax and Hemorrhagic Septicemia, Peste des Petits ruminants and Foot and Mouth disease are the most common infections of small and large ruminants. Vaccination covers hardly 10% of the population. The role of livestock in poverty reduction inevitable.  Although animal health care facilities are available throughout the province but still it needs to be expanded and improved. Establishment of new Vaccine production centers in the province may be helpful to cover the vaccination of animals.


Globus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina Sharifovna Kiyan ◽  
Viktoriya Valerevna Klimentenko

This article discusses a comprehensive theoretical and legal study of the place of case law in the system of sources of law of the Russian Federation. The major focus is devoted to the analysis of various theoretical approaches and court acts that allow to determine the role of case law in the Russian legal system. The conclusion is made that it is necessary to define legally the role of case law and determine its place in the Russian legal system


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