Welfare Quality® for dairy cows: towards a sensor-based assessment
Author
Maroto Molina, Francisco
Pérez-Marín, C.C.
Molina Moreno, Laura
Agüera, Estrella I.
Pérez-Marín, D.C.
Publisher
Cambridge University PressDate
2020Subject
Precision livestock farmingSensor integration
Social concerns
Welfare assessment
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Show full item recordAbstract
This Research Reflection addresses the possibilities for Welfare Quality® to evolve from an assessment method based on data gathered on punctual visits to the farm to an assessment method based on sensor data. This approach could provide continuous and objective data, while being less costly and time consuming. Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies enabling the monitorisation of Welfare Quality® measures are reviewed and discussed. For those measures that cannot be assessed by current technologies, some options to be developed are proposed. Picturing future dairy farms, the need for multipurpose and non-invasive PLF technologies is stated, in order to avoid an excessive artificialisation of the production system. Social concerns regarding digitalisation are also discussed.