You might imagine robots, self-driving cars or smart speakers when you think of Artificial Intelligence (AI) rather than thinking of a herd of cows or a flock of chickens. However, today, AI is subtly changing the way animals are raised and this new farming method is called “Smart Farming” or “Precision Livestock Farming”.
Data and technology can be used in the barn to support keeping animals healthy, minimizing waste, and making farmers’ jobs just a bit easier.
Fit the animals with a Fitbit:
- Farm animals, like our smartwatches, are getting their wearable tech.
- Cows and sheep are being equipped with smart collars or ear tags that enable farmers to track their vital signs around the clock with the help of sensors.
- These gadgets measure the animal’s temperature, activity and even chewing.
- The AI system automatically alerts the farmer’s phone if there is a rise in the cow’s temperature or if it is no longer mobile.
- This allows the farmer to keep the sick animal from getting sicker or infecting other animals.
Smart Cameras Keeping Watch:
- There are not enough eyes around for everyone, but there are with AI.
- Now farmers are watching their animals using the “computer vision” (smart cameras using AI).
- These cameras are capable of more than just taking video. They are trained to recognize patterns.
- For example: A thermal camera can identify a goat’s fever by detecting abnormal levels of temperature.
- Behavioral cameras are able to alert about over-stressed or overcrowded coops in chickens.
- A safety camera may be a feature that will alert to an accidental kid lying on a mother goat and cause her to stand up, or vibrate a little, allowing the kids to get up.
Perfect portions every time:
- Raising hundreds of animals is more than a matter of tossing stuff in a trough.
- The nutritional requirements of an animal vary according to its age, weight and health.
- AI-based feeding systems accurately measure animal intake of feed and water.
- The system alerts the user to the possibility of health problems if an animal does not eat enough.
- Conversely, the automated feeders use AI to provide the appropriate food combination and quantity for each animal.
- This will provide the animals with the right diet and it will significantly cut down on unused food, thereby saving the farmer money and the environment.
Drones in the sky!
- The drive or ride around to check on a dispersed flock of sheep or cattle once took many hours, but with the advent of radio collars, a farmer can monitor his flock from a computer or phone.
- It is now possible for them to launch a drone.
- AI drones can be used to fly over vast regions to identify animal counts, assess pasture conditions and even detect the presence of predators.
A Better Future for Farming
The practice of farming is extremely strenuous and with a growing population the demand for food continues to rise. AI is not taking the place of the farmer; it’s providing a digital aide.
AI takes over routine tasks of constant monitoring and data analysis, leaving farmers time to concentrate on what they do best; keeping their animals happy. This not only reduces environmental impact but also eliminates the stress on animals and the unsustainable ways of food production.
