Precision livestock farming is a tool that provides continuous automated real-time data to help monitor and manage livestock production and improve individual animal or overall performance.

Whilst it is a term that has become heavily associated with arable production, there is a huge potential for its development in the livestock sector.

“Regardless of the size of operation, the monitoring and measuring of animal behaviour, performance and their environment can help farmers make more informed management decisions leading to increases in production, welfare and on-farm efficiencies,” says Charlotte Johnston, Livestock Technical Specialist for the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

The Precision Livestock Initiative is a series of events that will demonstrate the latest advances in livestock farming, allowing producers to see first-hand the impact some of these technologies have had on farm businesses.

As well as practical case studies, there will be examples of current research and plenty of opportunity for discussion on future innovations.

Whether it is through energy savings, early disease indicators, reduced feed costs, improved fertility, increases in welfare or a reduction in labour, there are plenty of ways in which precision livestock farming can improve farm efficiency.

Dates for your diary:

• 15th October – Precision Dairy Production, Iron Acton, Bristol.
• 30th October – Precision Indoor Pig Production, Harrogate, Yorkshire.
• 6th November – Precision Outdoor Pig Production, Diss, Norfolk.
• 13th November – Precision Poultry Production, Derby, Derbyshire.
• 20th November – Precision Beef Production, Moreton in Marsh, Gloucestershire,
• 27th November – Precision Sheep Production, Penrith, Cumbria.

Barclays is delighted to be supporting these events, bringing you access to real life examples of where precision innovation can play a role in farming systems.

Martin Redfearn, National Head of Agriculture said “Barclays are proud to be working with the Royal Agricultural Society of England as supporters of the Precision Livestock Initiative.

“The more successful businesses in UK agriculture have a considerable track record over many years of innovation and early adoption of new technology to enhance their success. The pace of change and range of opportunities are unlikely to diminish in the future and we believe it is vital for all farmers to keep in touch with innovations and understand how they can be applied to their farming businesses to enhance their management and physical and financial performance.

“We are committed to supporting events like these because they offer valuable education opportunities, and inspiration for farmers to help them find technical and practical solutions to grow and expand their businesses individually, and the agriculture industry as a whole.”