Economic and environmental benefits of digital agricultural technological solutions in livestock farming: A review

Abstract

This review paper delved into the economic and environmental benefits of Digital Agricultural Technological Solutions (DATSs) in livestock farming systems. Synthesising data from 52 peer-reviewed papers it presents the outcomes of a systematic literature review on livestock farming DATSs, conducted with the use of the PRISMA methodology. The analysis highlighted the contribution of DATSs across three main livestock farming DATSs categories: Automated Milking Systems (AMS), Feed and Live Weight Measurement technologies, and Health Monitoring Systems. The results showed that AMS has the potential to boost cow productivity by up to 15 % while also reducing energy consumption by 35 %. Feed and Live Weight Measurement technologies contribute notably to sustainability and cost savings, with feed waste reductions of 75 % and feeding savings of 33 %. Health Monitoring Systems are especially effective in improving herd health and productivity through early detection of clinical issues, which directly enhances animal welfare and farm efficiency. Environmentally, AMS and health monitoring tools play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, with AMS lowering global warming potential by up to 5.83 %. Overall, the findings of this review highlight the potentials of livestock DATSs towards economic viability and environmental sustainability, suggesting that the wider adoption could offer substantial benefits for the livestock farming sector. Up to now, DATSs have shown great potential in dairy cattle by improving milk yield, quality, and animal health, with advancements such as AMS increasing productivity and health monitoring systems enhancing early disease detection. In contrast, their application in sheep, goats, and pigs is still in its early stages, mainly limited to basic health monitoring and feeding technologies, despite the economic importance of these species, especially in the Mediterranean area, where most of the studies are conducted.