Summary
This narrative review examines precision livestock farming technologies through the lens of animal welfare, using the Five Domains Model to structure analysis. Whilst PLF offers opportunities to detect health issues early and reduce disease and injury occurrence, the authors identify a significant gap: most technologies focus on negative welfare (disease/injury prevention) rather than promoting positive welfare states. The review emphasises that welfare outcomes depend critically on whether farmers adapt management practices to maximise benefits and minimise harms.
Regional applicability
The paper does not specify geographic focus and presents a technology-centred rather than region-specific analysis, making findings broadly applicable to intensive livestock systems internationally, including the United Kingdom. Adoption and effectiveness in UK farming would depend on local regulatory environment, farm economics, and farmer engagement with welfare-centred management adaptation.
Key measures
Classification of PLF technologies by type (sensors, bolus, image/sound-based, RFID), development stage, species applicability, and potential welfare impact; assessment against Five Domains Model framework
Outcomes reported
The study explores the potential of precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies to address animal welfare using the Five Domains Model as a framework, identifying and classifying various technology types and assessing their welfare benefits and risks. It concludes that whilst PLF shows promise in reducing disease and injury, current technologies have limited ability to promote positive welfare states due to developmental stage constraints and adoption challenges.
Topic tags
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