BSEN40510 Precision Livestock Management

Academic Year 2024/2025

This module examines the principles and theories that underpin the concept of precision livestock management as applied to domesticated farm animals (e.g., pigs, poultry and cattle). Students will be introduced to the concept of precision livestock farming and a toolbox of related technologies (sensors, networks, control systems) and logic (models, management rules) related to (i) intake and yield; (ii) welfare and stress; (iii) activity, behaviour and location; and (iv) management decisions. The technologies will be considered in the context of Irish, European and world agriculture, and how they can be put to use for gaining environmental and economic benefits for farmers.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

Upon completion of the module, students should be able to:
- LO1: Reflect on fundamental concepts and principles of precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies.
- LO2: Compare and contrast the functional components and their interconnection for an animal monitoring and control system.
- LO3: Analyse and interpret data obtained from state-of-the-art and novel PLF systems.
- LO4: Design your own PLF technology for smart dairy farming.
- LO5: Evaluate the potential of specific PLF technologies to offer economic and environmental benefits to a livestock farm.

Indicative Module Content:

The module content is as follows:

1. Introduction to Precision Livestock Farming (PLF)
- Basic principles, opportunities and challenges
2. Precision technology and sensors
- Function, types, technical specifications, operation
3. Design of sustainable buildings for livestock production
- Actuators for climate control in buildings for heating, air conditioning and ventilation systems
4. Emissions and sustainability of production buildings
- PLF technology for reduction of environmental impact of animal production
5. Applications of Precision Livestock Farming Technologies
- PLF product development: Lab, pilot scale and commercialization
6. PLF technology to improve animal welfare and health
- Development of image and sound based systems
7. PLF technology to improve production efficiency
- Precision livestock farming, automats and new technologies
8. Innovation in Precision Livestock Farming
- Automation, digitisation and new technologies
9. Adoption of Precision Livestock Technologies in the dairy sector
- Current status, availability, advantages, limitations, and barriers

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Lectures

24
Specified Learning Activities

24
Autonomous Student Learning

60
Online Learning

4
Total

112
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
To get the maximum out of this module students should attend all lectures and complete all assignments, reports and presentations. 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Exam (Online): An online exam will take place at the end of the module n/a Graded No

60
Individual Project: Poster presentation of a selected precision farming technology n/a Graded No

10
Assignment(Including Essay): Report on scientific and technical aspects of precision farming technology in the dairy sector n/a Graded No

30

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 
Resit In Terminal Exam
Autumn Yes - 2 Hour
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Individual feedback on final exam and report if requested.

Precision technology and sensor applications for livestock farming and companion animals by E. Van Erp-Van der Kooij
or
Precision livestock farming applications: Making sense of sensors to support farm management by Ilan Halachmi