Revolutionizing Livestock Health Management
The Challenge
A university-backed study aimed to harness advanced technology solutions in developing practical and reliable early detection techniques for livestock sickness. The study was driven by a need to address the overuse of prophylactic antibiotics and enhance the quality of the food chain.
The Keyfive team set out to develop a cost-effective technology solution to monitor health more effectively, thereby reducing the need for pharmaceutical interventions and decreasing mortality rates to prevent “dead loss” in farming.
They faced a series of complex technical challenges, including:
Ensuring accurate temperature measurement in diverse environmental conditions and across various livestock breeds.
Developing sophisticated animal models that would consider factors such as origin, breed, and comprehensive veterinary history.
The Solution
The Keyfive team adapted cloud-based digital twin technology to create a livestock monitoring system that included details such as temperature and location for each animal.
The solution devised was multifaceted and technologically advanced, encompassing several key components, including:
A robust sensor suite capable of long-range and low-power operation
A field gateway to facilitate continuous, cloud-based data access, even in remote farming locations.
Machine Learning models to foster innovative approaches in livestock monitoring and treatment.
Data-driven decision support systems for veterinarians, such as treatment option simulations and precise dosing calculations.
Real-time health alerts, location tracking, and efficient storage of health records for livestock.
Results
The results of this study were groundbreaking and showcased significant advancements in livestock health management:
Proactive Health Monitoring: Real-time monitoring enabled farmers to quickly identify and isolate sick animals, leading to a substantial reduction in the spread of infections.
Decreased Mortality Rates: The average rate of dead loss plummeted from 8-12% to less than 2%.
Reduced Pharmaceutical Reliance: A marked reduction in the use of prophylactic antibiotics led to considerable cost savings and an improvement in food quality.
Improved Animal Health: During the initial rollout, there were zero fatalities among calves, and early interventions were highly successful in treating pneumonia-related fevers.
Conclusion
Keyfive successfully leveraged digital twin and machine learning technologies to transform the industry’s approach to livestock health monitoring. The study encapsulates a blend of academic research, technological innovation, and practical application, all converging to create a healthier, more sustainable future for livestock farming.