PRECISION LIVESTOCK FARMING AS A CLIMATESMART STRATEGY FOR SUSTAINABLE DAIRY PRODUCTION AND PLANETARY HEALTH
Abstract
The dairy sector faces mounting pressure to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions while maintaining productivity and ensuring animal welfare. Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) integrates sensor technologies, artificial intelligence, and big data analytics to optimize herd management and reduce environmental footprints. This study evaluates the environmental, productivity, and welfare impacts of PLF implementation in dairy systems. Data from conventional and PLF-equipped farms were comparatively analyzed over a 24-month period. Key indicators included methane emission intensity (kg CO₂-eq/kg milk), feed conversion efficiency, health-related culling rates, and energy use efficiency. Results demonstrate that PLF adoption reduced methane intensity by 18%, improved feed efficiency by 12%, and decreased veterinary intervention costs by 22%. Early disease detection reduced involuntary culling by 15%, contributing to improved lifetime productivity and lower carbon intensity per liter of milk. These findings confirm that PLF technologies represent a viable climate-smart pathway for sustainable dairy systems.
Introduction
Livestock production contributes approximately 14–18% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, with dairy systems representing a significant proportion of methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions (Gerber et al., 2013; IPCC, 2021). Enteric fermentation accounts for the majority of methane emissions in dairy cattle, while manure management contributes substantially to N₂O and CH₄ release (Knapp et al., 2014; Hristov et al., 2013). With the global population projected to reach 9.7 billion by 2050, milk demand is expected to increase by 60–70%, intensifying pressure on natural resources and ecosystems (FAO, 2019). Consequently, sustainable intensification—producing more output with lower environmental impact—is necessary to reduce emission intensity per unit of milk while maintaining animal health and welfare (Herrero et al., 2016; Thornton & Herrero, 2015).