Smart Integrated Livestock Farming: integrating user-centric & ICT-based decision support platform

Project information

Smart Integrated Livestock Farming: integrating user-centric & ICT-based decision support platform

Call: ICT and Automation for a Greener Agriculture

Id: 14302

Acronym: SILF

Duration: 
1 March, 2013 to 29 February, 2016

Consortium:
No Partner Contact Country Total
1000€
Funded
1000€
Funder
1 Coord.Department of Engineering
Aarhus School of Engineering
Aarhus University
Claus SørensenDenmark131.8119.9Danish AgriFish Agency
Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries
2Division of Agricultural Structures and Agricultural Machinery
Department of Natural Resources Management and Agricultural Engineering
Agricultural University of Athens
Thomas BartzanasGreece92.078.0Managing Authority of the Rural Development Plan
Ministry of Rural Development & Food
3UCD School of Biosystems Engineering
College of Engineering and Architecture
University College Dublin
Nicholas holdenIreland202.0171.0Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine (DAFM)
4Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO)Annelies Van NuffelBelgium89.089.0Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO)
5Porphyrio NVKristof MertensBelgium111.547.0Institute for Agricultural and Fisheries Research (ILVO)
6Production Animal Research
Biotechnology and Food Research
Economic Research
Plant Production Research
Senior Research Scientist
MTT Agrifood Research Finland
Mikko JarvinenFinland48.024.0Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
7Agro Intelligence ApSOle GreenDenmark67.021.5Danish AgriFish Agency
Ministry of Food, Agriculture and Fisheries

Summary: 

In this project we will develop an evaluation platform that demonstrates through research the potential for an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled FMIS with animal-centric ICT, production databases & best practice standards to assist farmers optimise sustainable livestock production. In this respect SILF will take an integrated approach to solving issues with environmental impact and animal welfare during livestock production. Previously developed smart farming sensing systems for lameness detection in dairy production will be robustified, validated and evaluated against other available systems in different member states. The commercial/environmental benefit of these systems alongwith 'object-connected ICT' will be realised through specific business-models and lifecycle costing for farming systems. To entice innovation adoption these benefits will be disseminated through different means, e.g. through the use of a virtual farm simulator

Impact: 

Available databases of relevance for the development of an internet of things (IoT) data management platform for livestock farming were identified through a survey in the five partner countries. Experiments with accelerometers were carried out to identify parameters and classifiers of lameness. A list of key environmental indicators was identified. The indicators include categories within energy, nutrient use, soil/land issues, biodiversity, water, carbon footprint and economy. The indicators form the basis for a farm-based life cycle assessment (LCA) where economic drivers are integrated. System analysis has been performed by indicating the identified stakeholders. A web platform representing the mutual relations between different actors was developed and prepared for continuous updating of economic consequences of lameness. Available databases with data on animal health form the basis for farmers and advisors to compare and benchmark different production systems and methods in terms of sustainability, including indicators within energy, nutrient use, soil/land issues, biodiversity, water, carbon footprint and economy. Specifically, the guidelines for the use of accelerometers for lameness detection were outlined. Based on the results, good dairy farming practices were developed within animal health, milk hygiene, feeding, animal welfare, environmental impact and socioeconomic benefits as guidelines for advisors and farmers. Also, these results are useable for researchers in their pursuit of further designing and implementing information management systems in precision livestock.

Outputs: 
  • Develop an evaluation platform that demonstrates through research the potential for an Internet of Things (IoT) enabled FMIS with animal-centric ICT, production databases & best practice standards to assist farmers optimise sustainable livestock production.
Topics: 
  • Internet of Things
  • Decision support

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