Data collection and new technologies in cattle farming: towards informed decision-making in animal health management

Abstract

Connected devices are widely used on farms to collect crucial data on animal health. The authors provide an inventory of existing connected devices in cattle farming, before illustrating the importance of the data provided by these devices and their limitations in terms of diagnosing animal health issues. These concepts are illustrated by presenting research projects focused on the use of connected objects to manage bovine respiratory diseases. The development of decision support tools (DST) based on data collected by connected objects is central to optimizing animal health management. These DST can predict health events by combining the detection of events by connected objects and the prediction of future events using statistical and mechanistic models. The more advanced mechanistic models simulate various scenarios to design intervention strategies. In this way, these DST make an active contribution to the short-, medium- and long-term management of farm animal health, promoting, for example, the rational use of antibiotics through early detection and the rational choice of animals to be treated. However, these tools are not intended to replace the skills of farmers and veterinarians. In addition, their use has a definite financial and environmental impact. Digital technology, in the form of connected objects and DST, as well as veterinary telemedicine and telementoring for young rural vets, appears to be one of the possible solutions to the shortage of veterinary skills.