Transformation of Livestock Production Systems through a Data-Driven Approach for Efficiency and Environmental Impact Control

Authors

  • Nabila Ningsih Institut Teknologi Bandung Author
  • Rudi Permadi Institut Teknologi Bandung Author
  • Fitri Hermawan Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember Author

Keywords:

Data-Driven Livestock, Environmental Impact Control, Livestock Efficiency, Precision Livestock Farming

Abstract

This study aims to examine the transformation of livestock production systems through a data-driven approach for improving efficiency and controlling environmental impacts. The issue is important because livestock production faces increasing pressure to enhance productivity while reducing waste, emissions, and resource inefficiency. This research used a qualitative exploratory case study design involving farmers, farm managers, livestock workers, extension officers, veterinarians, technology providers, and local institutional actors. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, limited participatory observation, and documentation of production records, feeding practices, health monitoring, and environmental management activities. The data were analyzed using reflexive thematic analysis to identify patterns of meaning across participants’ experiences. The findings reveal five main themes: the shift from experience-based decisions to data-informed management, improvement of feed and production efficiency, early detection of animal health and welfare problems, environmental impact control through monitoring and documentation, and socio-technical barriers in technology adoption. The study shows that data-driven livestock transformation depends not only on digital tools, but also on farmers’ trust, digital literacy, institutional support, and the suitability of technology to local production routines. These findings contribute to precision livestock farming literature by emphasizing technology as part of a socio-technical process. The study implies that livestock digitalization policies should support affordable infrastructure, practical training, data governance, and farmer-centered extension systems. Further research should examine different livestock commodities and farm scales to assess the long-term effects of data-driven practices on efficiency, welfare, and environmental sustainability.

References

Ahmed, S. K., Mohammed, R. A., Nashwan, A. J., Ibrahim, R. H., Abdalla, A. Q., Ameen, B. M. M., & Khdhir, R. M. (2025). Using thematic analysis in qualitative research. Journal of Medicine, Surgery, and Public Health, 4, Article 100198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.glmedi.2025.100198

Akinyemi, B. E., Vigors, B., Turner, S. P., Akaichi, F., Benjamin, M., Johnson, A. K., Pairis-Garcia, M. D., Rozeboom, D. W., Steibel, J. P., Thompson, D. P., Zangaro, C., & Siegford, J. M. (2023). Precision livestock farming: A qualitative exploration of swine industry stakeholders. Frontiers in Animal Science, 4, Article 1150528. https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2023.1150528

Bao, J., & Xie, Q. (2022). Artificial intelligence in animal farming: A systematic literature review. Journal of Cleaner Production, 331, Article 129956. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2021.129956

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2021). One size fits all? What counts as quality practice in reflexive thematic analysis? Qualitative Research in Psychology, 18(3), 328–352. https://doi.org/10.1080/14780887.2020.1769238

Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2022). Conceptual and design thinking for thematic analysis. Qualitative Psychology, 9(1), 3–26. https://doi.org/10.1037/qup0000196

Byrne, D. (2022). A worked example of Braun and Clarke’s approach to reflexive thematic analysis. Quality & Quantity, 56, 1391–1412. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11135-021-01182-y

Campbell, S., Greenwood, M., Prior, S., Shearer, T., Walkem, K., Young, S., Bywaters, D., & Walker, K. (2020). Purposive sampling: Complex or simple? Research case examples. Journal of Research in Nursing, 25(8), 652–661. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987120927206

Curti, P. de F., Selli, A., Pinto, D. L., Merlos-Ruiz, A., Balieiro, J. C. de C., & Ventura, R. V. (2023). Applications of livestock monitoring devices and machine learning algorithms in animal production and reproduction: An overview. Animal Reproduction, 20(2), Article e20230077. https://doi.org/10.1590/1984-3143-AR2023-0077

Ellis, J. L., Jacobs, M., Dijkstra, J., van Laar, H., Cant, J. P., Tulpan, D., & Ferguson, N. (2020). Review: Synergy between mechanistic modelling and data-driven models for modern animal production systems in the era of big data. Animal, 14(S2), s223–s237. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1751731120000312

Ferguson, H. J., Bowen, J. M., McNicol, L. C., Bell, J., Duthie, C.-A., & Dewhurst, R. J. (2024). The impacts of precision livestock farming tools on the greenhouse gas emissions of an average Scottish dairy farm. Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 8, Article 1385672. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2024.1385672

García, R., Aguilar, J., Toro, M., Pinto, A., & Rodríguez, P. (2020). A systematic literature review on the use of machine learning in precision livestock farming. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 179, Article 105826. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2020.105826

Jiang, B., Tang, W., Cui, L., & Deng, X. (2023). Precision livestock farming research: A global scientometric review. Animals, 13(13), Article 2096. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13132096

Kendall, H., Clark, B., Li, W., Jin, S., Jones, G. D., Chen, J., Taylor, J., Li, Z., & Frewer, L. J. (2022). Precision agriculture technology adoption: A qualitative study of small-scale commercial “family farms” located in the North China Plain. Precision Agriculture, 23(1), 319–351. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11119-021-09839-2

Kleen, J. L., & Guatteo, R. (2023). Precision livestock farming: What does it contain and what are the perspectives? Animals, 13(5), Article 779. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani13050779

Kling-Eveillard, F., Allain, C., Boivin, X., Courboulay, V., Créach, P., Philibert, A., Ramonet, Y., & Hostiou, N. (2020). Farmers’ representations of the effects of precision livestock farming on human-animal relationships. Livestock Science, 238, Article 104057. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.livsci.2020.104057

Krampe, C., Serratosa, J., Niemi, J. K., & Ingenbleek, P. T. M. (2021). Consumer perceptions of precision livestock farming: A qualitative study in three European countries. Animals, 11(5), Article 1221. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11051221

Lovarelli, D., Bacenetti, J., & Guarino, M. (2020). A review on dairy cattle farming: Is precision livestock farming the compromise for an environmental, economic and social sustainable production? Journal of Cleaner Production, 262, Article 121409. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.121409

Monteiro, A., Santos, S., & Gonçalves, P. (2021). Precision agriculture for crop and livestock farming: Brief review. Animals, 11(8), Article 2345. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11082345

Morgan-Davies, C., Tesnière, G., Gautier, J.-M., Jørgensen, G. H. M., González-García, E., Patsios, S. I., Sossidou, E. N., Keady, T. W. J., McClearn, B., Kenyon, F., Caja, G., Grøva, L., Decandia, M., Cziszter, L., Halachmi, I., & Dwyer, C. M. (2024). Review: Exploring the use of precision livestock farming for small ruminant welfare management. Animal, 18, Article 101233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.animal.2024.101233

Morrone, S., Dimauro, C., Gambella, F., & Cappai, M. G. (2022). Industry 4.0 and precision livestock farming: An up-to-date overview across animal productions. Sensors, 22(12), Article 4319. https://doi.org/10.3390/s22124319

Naeem, M., Ozuem, W., Howell, K., & Ranfagni, S. (2023). A step-by-step process of thematic analysis to develop a conceptual model in qualitative research. International Journal of Qualitative Methods, 22, Article 16094069231205789. https://doi.org/10.1177/16094069231205789

Neethirajan, S., & Kemp, B. (2021). Digital twins in livestock farming. Animals, 11(4), Article 1008. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani11041008

Niloofar, P., Francis, D. P., Lazarova-Molnar, S., Vulpe, A., Vochin, M.-C., Suciu, G., Balanescu, M., Anestis, V., & Bartzanas, T. (2021). Data-driven decision support in livestock farming for improved animal health, welfare and greenhouse gas emissions: Overview and challenges. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, 190, Article 106406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compag.2021.106406

Papakonstantinou, G. I., Voulgarakis, N., Terzidou, G., Fotos, L., Giamouri, E., & Papatsiros, V. G. (2024). Precision livestock farming technology: Applications and challenges of animal welfare and climate change. Agriculture, 14(4), Article 620. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture14040620

Schilling, J., Bennett, R., Wemelsfelder, F., & Rose, D. C. (2023). Digital livestock technologies as boundary objects: Investigating impacts on farm management and animal welfare. Animal Welfare, 32, Article e17. https://doi.org/10.1017/awf.2023.16

Schillings, J., Bennett, R., & Rose, D. C. (2021). Exploring the potential of precision livestock farming technologies to help address farm animal welfare. Frontiers in Animal Science, 2, Article 639678. https://doi.org/10.3389/fanim.2021.639678

Tuyttens, F. A. M., Molento, C. F. M., & Benaissa, S. (2022). Twelve threats of precision livestock farming for animal welfare. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9, Article 889623. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2022.889623

Williamson, H. F., & Hartley, S. (2024). Responsible development of digital livestock technologies for agricultural challenges: Purpose, practicality and effects are key considerations. Sociologia Ruralis, 64(4), 662–684. https://doi.org/10.1111/soru.12492

Downloads

Published

2026-05-01

How to Cite

Transformation of Livestock Production Systems through a Data-Driven Approach for Efficiency and Environmental Impact Control . (2026). Global Journal of Animal Science, 1(1), 39-48. https://ejournal.globalterasfana.com/gjans/article/view/107