Exploring the Potential of Precision Livestock Farming Technologies for Enhancing Animal Welfare and Public Health

This review explores the potential of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technology to enhance animal welfare and improve public health outcomes in contemporary livestock management. As global food demands increase and the necessity for sustainable agricultural methods escalates, Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies—encompassing sensors, automation systems, and big data analytics—present substantial potential in optimizing animal welfare, mitigating disease outbreaks, and improving production. The main aim of this review is to consolidate the existing literature, pinpoint knowledge deficiencies, and assess the function of PLF in tackling critical issues such as antibiotic resistance, disease control, and environmental sustainability in cattle agriculture. This review, through a thorough analysis of existing studies, underscores significant trends, such as the increasing adoption of data-driven methodologies for monitoring animal health, diminished dependence on antibiotics via early disease identification, and incorporation of Precision Livestock Farming systems into wider public health initiatives. Notwithstanding significant progress, substantial deficiencies persist in the scalability of these technologies for small-scale farms, cost-effectiveness of PLF systems in developing areas, and enduring effects on animal behavior and well-being. This review recommends future research initiatives aimed at addressing these obstacles, especially with the enhancement of PLF technologies to ensure their accessibility and efficacy across various agricultural systems. By addressing these deficiencies, this study facilitates the advancement and implementation of PLF technology, thereby promoting more ethical, sustainable, and productive livestock farming practices.