Development of a decision support system for animal health management using geo-Information technology : a novel approach to precision livestock management

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Authors

Panda, Sudhanshu S.
Terrill, Thomas H.
Siddique, Aftab
Mahapatra, Ajit K.
Morgan, Eric R.
Pech-Cervantes, Andres A.
Van Wyk, Jan Aucamp

Journal Title

Journal ISSN

Volume Title

Publisher

MDPI

Abstract

Livestock management is challenging for resource-poor (R-P) farmers due to unavailability of quality feed, limited professional advice, and rumor-spreading about animal health condition in a herd. This research seeks to improve animal health in southern Africa by promoting sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), a nutraceutical forage legume. An automated geospatial model for precision agriculture (PA) can identify suitable locations for its cultivation. Additionally, a novel approach of radio-frequency identifier (RFID) supported telemetry technology can track animal movement, and the analyses of data using artificial intelligence can determine sickness of small ruminants. This RFID-based system is being connected to a smartphone app (under construction) to alert farmers of potential livestock health issues in real time so they can take immediate corrective measures. An accompanying Decision Support System (DSS) site is being developed for R-P farmers to obtain all possible support on livestock production, including the designed PA and RFID-based DSS.

Description

This article belongs to the Special Issue titled 'Advancing Animal Welfare: Precision Livestock Farming Technologies for Monitoring and Preventing Abnormal Behavior'.
DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT : Data can be provided upon request to Corresponding Author.

Keywords

Geospatial technology, Site-specific forage management (SSFM), Decision support system (DSS), Radio-frequency identification (RFID), Animal health remote management (AHRM), Smart-phone app development, SDG-02: Zero hunger, SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Sustainable Development Goals

SDG-02:Zero Hunger
SDG-09: Industry, innovation and infrastructure

Citation

Panda, S.S.; Terrill, T.H.; Siddique, A.; Mahapatra, A.K.; Morgan, E.R.; Pech-Cervantes, A.A.; Van Wyk, J.A. Development of a Decision Support System for Animal Health Management Using Geo-Information Technology: A Novel Approach to Precision Livestock Management. Agriculture 2024, 14, 696. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14050696.