Overview
Precision agriculture is a management strategy that integrates temporal, spatial, and individual data collection with advanced information technology to optimize agricultural operations. This approach combines various data sources to support informed management decisions, aiming to improve:
- Resource use efficiency
- Productivity
- Quality
- Profitability
- Sustainability of agricultural production
Historical Context and Implementation
The concept has been established in USA and EU farming since the 1970s, demonstrating a long history of practical application and refinement.
Applications in Animal Husbandry
Poultry Farming
Modern poultry operations maintain birds in controlled environments to:
- Prevent disease transmission
- Protect from predators
- Optimize feeding and management
- Enable precise monitoring
Weight Monitoring Challenges
While automated weighing systems (like step-on scales for poultry) exist, weight monitoring presents several challenges:
- Animal Stress: Weighing procedures can cause significant stress to livestock
- Time Efficiency: The process is often time-consuming
- Production Impact: Stressed animals, particularly dairy cattle, may show reduced productivity (e.g., decreased milk production)
- Safety Concerns: Handling animals for weighing isn’t always harmless