Search Results (21)

Livestock production occupies a paradoxical position with respect to climate change: farm animals are highly vulnerable to heat stress, feed and water scarcity, and climate-sensitive disease, while the sector contributes an estimated 14.5% of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions, most of which is biogenic methane from enteric fermentation. This review evaluates the evidence for precision livestock farming (PLF)—continuous, automated, real-time monitoring of individual animals’ health, welfare, production and environmental impact—across dairy and beef cattle, small ruminants, pigs, and poultry. For mitigation, precision feeding and additive-dosing strategies have been associated with enteric methane reductions of approximately 10–25%; for adaptation, wearable and non-invasive sensors have been reported to detect heat-stress-related behavioural changes before productivity losses become apparent, and smart climate-control systems have been associated with housing energy-use reductions of roughly 5–10%. Much of this evidence derives from single-farm, small-sample or short-duration studies and should be read as indicative rather than generalisable. Adoption remains constrained by high investment costs, limited interoperability, insufficient technical support, and uneven applicability to extensive and smallholder systems. We conclude that PLF is a valuable enabling technology that, combined with genetic, nutritional, and management strategies, can strengthen the resilience and environmental sustainability of livestock systems under a changing climate. Full article

The emission of odorous gases has become a critical environmental challenge in livestock and poultry farming, organic solid waste treatment, and wastewater and sludge management, with typical pollutants including NH₃, H₂S, and various volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Conventional physicochemical deodorization methods are limited by complex equipment, high energy consumption, and secondary pollution, whereas microbial deodorization has attracted increasing attention because of its low energy demand, environmental friendliness, and environmentally safe end products. At present, comprehensive reviews of microbial deodorization technology remain limited, particularly those addressing the differences in microbial removal mechanisms for odorous gases and their components originating from different sources. The major components, characteristics, and emission patterns of odorous gases from different sources are summarized in this paper. Recent advances in the screening and consortium construction of highly efficient deodorizing microorganisms, together with their practical applications in odor treatment, are further summarized. Furthermore, emerging metabolic engineering strategies based on genetic modification, enzyme regulation, and metabolic pathway reconstruction are discussed, highlighting their potential for enhancing microbial degradation capacity and facilitating the rational design of next-generation deodorization systems. Future research directions are also proposed to address existing challenges, thereby providing insights for the rational design and engineering application of microbial deodorization systems. Full article

This review analyses and logically structures modern intelligent sensor technologies in the context of animal husbandry, feed production, and veterinary medicine. The main research discussed in the article focuses on machine learning based on modern neural network models, computer vision, and sensor systems that are transforming the methods for assessing the health, behavior, and nutrition of farm animals. The first part examines modern approaches to quality control and optimization of mineral and vitamin premixes, including visual inspection using visual sensors and neural networks. Key roles are played by precise dosing, component stability (minerals, vitamins), and the transition to more bioefficient organic forms of micronutrients to reduce environmental impact. Improvements in feed and premix production are analyzed, including automation, energy management, and the use of machine learning for non-destructive quality control, defect detection, mixing homogeneity assessment, and vitamin stability prediction. The second part analyzes methods for animal location and behavior detection. This article presents computer vision-based systems, including modifications of YOLO, for automatically tracking and classifying key behavioral patterns (lying down, standing, feeding, and aggression) in cattle and pigs, even in crowded conditions. It also discusses the use of ultra-wideband (UWB) systems and accelerometers combined with machine learning for high-precision positioning and detection of specific behavioral anomalies, such as lameness and playfulness. The third section focuses on the application of machine learning in veterinary diagnostics, including the automated interpretation of medical images (X-ray, ultrasound, and MRI) as sensor data streams for the diagnosis of cardiovascular, oncological, and orthopedic diseases in farm and small animals. Furthermore, the article examines the use of machine learning models for proactive disease diagnosis in farm animals and poultry based on multimodal data and image analysis. Considerable attention is given to methods and tools for radiometric diagnosis of animal diseases at an early stage using microwave sensors, as well as laser therapy and surgery in veterinary medicine. The review concludes that the integration of intelligent systems enables a transition to data-driven livestock management, significantly improving animal welfare and, consequently, the efficiency and sustainability of agricultural production. Full article

This study presents a novel iterative dual-loop methodology for the technical sizing of DC-coupled PV-BESS systems. The method was implemented for a commercial broiler farm characterized by a highly variable electricity demand profile (annual consumption: 7.6 MWh; coefficient of variation: 53%). The methodology introduces two original energy utilization indicators—the photovoltaic-to-converter matching factor (W_{PV_S}) and the photovoltaic-to-BESS matching factor (W_{PV_B})—enabling purely technical optimization independent of economic conditions. Minimization of the radius of curvature of the WPVB characteristic curve is applied as a rigorous mathematical criterion for determining the optimal BESS capacity. Simulation results indicate that the optimal configuration consists of a 9.7 kWp photovoltaic system, a 7 kW DC converter, and a 15 kWh battery storage system. The integration of an optimally sized energy storage system increased the self-consumption coverage ratio from 38% to 59% and improved the photovoltaic energy utilization factor from 35% to 54%. Additional economic analysis demonstrates that the PV-only subsystem achieves a simple payback period ranging from 8 to 18 years, depending on the selected pricing scenario. Consequently, the technically optimal configuration identified using the proposed methodology represents a practically feasible investment for broiler production facilities operating under Polish net-billing conditions. The proposed methodology provides a reproducible, economically independent framework for the design of DC-coupled PV-BESS systems in agricultural prosumer facilities, addressing a critical gap in the optimization literature and offering practical sizing guidelines applicable to similarly high-variability load profiles. Full article

Poultry litter represents a promising feedstock for biogas production through anaerobic digestion (AD), offering potential benefits for both on-farm energy supply and organic waste management. This opportunity is particularly relevant in resource-constrained countries, where limited access to reliable energy and inadequate waste management remain critical challenges. This study investigates the integration of poultry litter-based biogas production into a decentralized energy system supplying a poultry farm and a nearby household in Yaoundé, Cameroon. A techno-economic optimization framework based on mixed-integer linear programming is used to determine the cost-optimal configuration of the energy system. The results show that anaerobic digesters are only selected when constraints on poultry litter disposal are introduced. Total annual system costs increase from approximately 2680 EUR·y⁻¹ in the unconstrained scenario to 3720 EUR·y⁻¹ when up to 50% of the poultry litter is valorized locally through AD. Increasing biogas production primarily substitutes liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) used for heating and progressively reduces electricity purchases from the grid. Overall, the analysis indicates that anaerobic digestion is currently not economically competitive when evaluated solely on energy supply benefits, mainly due to the high capital cost of digesters. However, when waste management objectives or external investment support are considered, poultry litter-based biogas systems can contribute to integrated energy–waste management strategies and support circular resource use in small-scale agricultural systems. Full article

The chicken farm is a specific type of agricultural site with high electricity and heat consumption, which makes it ideal for the implementation of green energy. The specificity of the farm (need for continuous ventilation, lighting, and heating) allows achieving energy independence and reducing costs. Small farms can meet their own electricity needs using clean energy through the application of photovoltaics and converting waste biomass to usable energy. These two ways of power production could also reduce carbon footprints. In this study, the feasibility of using renewable energy for energy management in a poultry farm by consecutively involving solar and biomass energy was revealed. A biotechnological process for the production of biogas from chicken litter in a continuously stirred system of tank bioreactors was performed. It was supplied by electricity from a photovoltaic system. To obtain the maximum amount of solar energy, a photovoltaic system consisting of four panels, invertor and a battery with smart control was designed to collect, store, and bring energy to the reactor system collector and connected to the laboratory bioreactor, conveying the biogas production process. Several hydraulic retention times (HRT) were tested for optimizing biogas (biomethane) production, reaching a maximum of 575.49 NmL CH₄/dm³ at an HRT of 13.3 days for the first bioreactor and 278.7 NmL CH₄/g VS_add at an HRT of 120 days for the whole system. The energy balance made, reporting meteorological data, showed the economic feasibility for small farms to meet their own electricity needs. Involving renewable energy technologies could solve the problem of fossil fuel dependency and waste management for environmental protection and profit increase. It would permit a transition toward sustainable energy practices in agriculture and food production. Full article

Anaerobic digestion of organic waste offers renewable energy and waste-management benefits, relevant to multiple SDGs. This study evaluates a proposed 50 t/d farm-based biogas plant co-digesting poultry manure (PM) and fruit/vegetable waste (FVW) in South Africa. Five substrate blends (100% PM, 100% FVW, and three PM–FVW mixtures) and three biogas utilization routes (100% electricity via a combined heat and power (CHP) system, 50/50 CHP–biomethane, and 100% biomethane) were modelled in a combined techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life-cycle assessment (LCA) framework. Key metrics included GWP100 per ton of feedstock and the project’s internal rate of return (IRR), debt service coverage ratio (DSCR), and net present value (NPV) over a 20-year project lifespan. Under base-case assumptions, electricity-led pathways yield the highest returns; in the best case, 80% FVW + 20% PM with 100% CHP achieves a project IRR of 10% with a minimum DSCR of 2.4. The LCA shows total GWP100 ranging 118–168 kgCO₂-eq/t, minimum for pure FVW, maximum for pure PM, and clearly identifies digestate handling as the dominant emission source. Overall, the CHP-only configuration emerges as the most financeable option at this scale, and emphasis on closed digestate management is recommended to minimize emissions. Full article

Background: Commercial broiler farms produce a large amount of litter that must be removed. Anaerobic digestion (AD) is animal manure management technology with the added benefit of producing reusable energy. Our team previously showed that the micro-aeration and sound treatment of animal manure during AD increase biogas production. However, their influence on antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and bacterial virulence factor genes (VFGs) is unknown. Therefore, the objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of AD on the resistome and VFGs in poultry litter (PL) and see if the effect is modified by micro-aeration and/or sound treatments. Methods: A field experiment was conducted in four anaerobic digesters that consisted of a control (a standard AD system with no air or sound), micro-aeration, sound, and combined micro-aeration and sound treatments. Overall, 21 samples were collected and analyzed with shotgun metagenomic sequencing. The samples included digestate samples (n = 12) from the four digesters obtained at 6 (baseline, i.e., before beginning of micro-aeration and sound treatments), 23 and 42 weeks, raw PL samples (n = 4), two disks comprised of the same wood as the bedding material, an initial digestate seed sample, and two initial week 0 mix samples. Results: Across all sequence reads (n = 3190) obtained from 21 samples, over 80% of the resistome was composed of four antimicrobial classes: macrolides–lincosamides–streptogramins, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, and glycopeptides. While the total number of ARGs declined in the control digestor, it increased over time in micro-aerated or sound-treated digesters, and their combination greatly increased the number of ARGs detected. This is a new finding, and it clearly shows that micro-aeration, sound, and their combination treatment during the anaerobic digestion of PL enriches ARGs. In contrast, sound-treated AD by itself significantly (p = 0.035) reduced the mean total ARG abundance compared to the control. The number and abundance of ARGs detected in the initial digestate and PL were lower than those in the AD samples, indicating their enrichment during the AD process. On the other hand, although the AD samples had a lower frequency and abundance of VFGs than the PL, AD did not completely remove the VFGs, and their detection frequency increased over time. While micro-aeration increased the abundance of VFGs compared to the control, this effect was countered by its combination with sound treatment, offering a good animal manure treatment strategy to reduce bacterial VFGs. Conclusions: Although additional research may be required, it was shown that while sound treatment may enrich the occurrence of ARGs, it seems promising to reduce the abundance of ARGs and VFGs during the AD of PL. On the other hand, micro-aeration, alone or when combined with sound treatment, increases the abundance of both ARGs and VFGs. Moreover, the study showed that AD, with or without micro-aeration and sound treatment, is not effective for the complete removal of ARGs and VFGs from poultry litter. Rather, AD systems may act as a hotspot for ARGs, and post-AD treatments such as composting need to be evaluated. Full article

Agriculture is responsible for nearly one-quarter of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with livestock and poultry systems contributing significantly through methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Achieving net-zero agriculture demands tools that not only quantify emissions but also guide management decisions and foster behavioral change. The Cool Farm Tool (CFT)—a science-based calculator for farm-level carbon footprints, water use, and biodiversity—has been widely adopted across Europe and parts of the United States. Yet, despite its proven potential, no Canadian studies have tested or adapted CFT, leaving a major gap in the country’s progress toward climate-smart farming. This paper addresses that gap by presenting the first surveys of poultry and dairy producers in Atlantic Canada as a foundation for tailoring and localizing CFT. Our mixed-methods surveys examined farm practices, feed, manure, energy use, waste management, sustainability perceptions, and openness to digital tools. Results on 23 responses (20 for poultry, 3 for dairy) revealed limited awareness but moderate interest in emission tracking: dairy farmers, already accustomed to digital systems such as robotic milking and herd software, were receptive and confident about adopting CFT. Poultry farmers, by contrast, voiced greater concerns over cost, complexity, and uncertain benefits, signaling higher adoption barriers in this sector. These findings highlight both the opportunity and the challenge: while dairy farms appear ready for rapid uptake, poultry requires stronger incentives, clearer value demonstration, and sector-specific customization. We conclude that adapting CFT with regionally relevant data, AI-driven decision support, and supportive policy frameworks could make it a cornerstone for achieving net-zero agriculture in Atlantic Canada. Full article

Animal farming produces large volumes of underutilised by-products, such as poultry feathers (PF), often discarded in landfills or incinerated, causing environmental concerns. Transforming such residues into valuable energy carriers aligns with sustainable waste-to-energy (WtE) management. Pyrolysis represents a versatile thermochemical pathway for converting organic wastes into gaseous, liquid, and solid fuels. This study investigates slow pyrolysis of PF, lignite (LG), and their blends at pilot scale using a uniquely designed, patent-pending reactor bridging laboratory research with industrial practice. Experiments were conducted at 20 °C·min⁻¹, temperatures of 500–800 °C, and pressures from 0.1 to 1.0 MPa. PF pyrolysis produced mainly gas (70.1%), suitable for energy recovery, with smaller fractions of char (15.3%) and oil (14.6%). LG yielded predominantly char (59.9%), with lower gas (32.4%) and oil (7.7%) outputs. Co-pyrolysis revealed limited synergistic effects. Rising temperature promoted gas formation, reduced char, and improved its calorific value through carbon enrichment. Elevated pressure enhanced char yield and unexpectedly increased hydrogen content, suggesting complex thermochemical behaviour. The results confirm the scalability of laboratory findings and highlight pyrolysis as a practical WtE pathway for valorising protein-rich residues and low-rank coals, contributing to cleaner, more sustainable energy systems. Full article

This study aims to evaluate environmental performance indicators and eco-controls in the poultry production chain in Goiás, with a focus on forest management, waste generation, water resources, energy use, emissions, and environmental accounting. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining qualitative and quantitative data from 13 agro-industrial companies, 230 farms, and 816 broiler houses. The results highlight the role of environmental management accounting (EMA) in monitoring and improving environmental practices, supporting continuous performance assessment. Econometric analysis revealed a positive link between sustainability practices and economic growth, as measured by GDP per capita. However, productive capacity and energy efficiency showed no significant impact at the 5% level. The study limitations include the focus on a single region and industry, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. Future research should expand to other chains and regions to assess broader applicability and explore the public policy impacts on environmental sustainability, as well as the impact of public policies on environmental sustainability within the sector. Full article

Since manure sources are widely dispersed and the disposal of manure in landfills or its direct application onto soil is often restricted by laws in many countries, selecting suitable sites for manure management facilities is an important step for sustainable livestock farming. The main purpose of this study is to explore suitable locations for situating large-scale biogas plants from livestock manure in Bangladesh using spatial modeling. This study analyzed land suitability based on several geographical, topographical, environmental, and socio-economic criteria, which were also optimized by reflecting optimum transportation distances from manure sources to the chosen sites using GIS (Geographic Information System) network analysis. Then, the environmental benefits of selected biogas plants were estimated through mathematical equations. It was found that 475, 15, and 68 large-scale biogas plants were spatially possible from large-animal, small-animal, and poultry manure, respectively, to produce a total electricity of 7682.72 GWh (gigawatt) in 2023. By implementing the proposed scenarios, renewable energy production will be increased in Bangladesh by at least 8.69%, and GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions will be reduced by approximately 6636.09 gigagram CO₂eq by disposing of 90.14 million tons of manure each year. Hence, the potential selection of biogas plant locations and benefit analysis of different scenarios will guide the establishment of a local decision for the utilization of regional bioenergy from livestock manure in Bangladesh. Full article

Comprehensive accounting of carbon emissions and carbon sinks in the agricultural sector is crucial for China to achieve its carbon neutrality goal as early as possible. This paper develops a comprehensive and scientific accounting system to recalculate China’s agriculture sector’s carbon emissions and sinks from 1995 to 2020, taking into account both resource inputs and productive activities. Subsequently, the STIRPAT model is employed to predict alterations in carbon emissions and sinks across different scenarios. The results show that energy consumption, chemical inputs, and farmland soil management have surpassed livestock and poultry breeding as the main contributors to agricultural carbon emissions. Furthermore, this paper classifies 31 provinces in China into five distinct types based on the variations in agricultural carbon emissions and carbon sinks. These types include carbon sink-dominated regions, paddy planting-dominated regions, livestock farming-dominated regions, resource inputs-dominated regions, and composite factor-dominated regions. In addition, the extent of agricultural technology and the magnitude of agricultural development are the key factors impacting China’s agricultural carbon emissions and carbon sinks, respectively. Prior to 2045, agricultural carbon emissions must be directly reduced as much as possible, and their source must be controlled; following that year, the role of carbon sequestration will become more prominent, and the active development of agricultural carbon sinks will be more beneficial in achieving agricultural carbon neutrality. Full article

Dried rice, an organic waste recycling product, is made from dried rice leftovers. With a carbohydrate content nearly equivalent to corn but at a lower price, it has potential as an energy-generating feed, especially in poultry farming. The nutrient content and price of dried rice were evaluated to assess its efficiency for animal feed use. Dried rice samples from three areas in East Java, Indonesia, were analyzed for moisture, ash, crude protein, crude fat, and crude fiber content. Additionally, this research assesses the effectiveness of dried rice as a corn substitute in broiler feed by observing its impact on feed intake, average daily gain, feed conversion ratio, and broiler performance index. Proximate analysis showed insignificant differences among treatments, with moisture content ranging 12.45–12.71%, ash content 0.55–1.31%, crude protein 10.34–10.64%, crude fat 0.12–2.48%, and crude fiber from 0.81 to 1.55%. Although all samples were assessed as efficient, products from Lumajang and Pasuruan were preferred for feed production due to their similarity to corn nutrient content. Dried rice costs approximately USD 213–228 per ton, significantly lower than corn. Dried rice production reduces both organic waste and poultry production costs concurrently, serving as a sustainable waste management model in Indonesia and other rice-producing countries, shifting towards a bioeconomy from a linear economy. Full article

As livestock and poultry farming expands in China, the generation of fecal waste has significantly increased. Inadequate waste management can contribute to environmental pollution. This study seeks to optimize small-scale composting systems to address the inefficiencies and the limited automation of traditional composting equipment. We redesigned the mixing blades and refined the ventilation heating system, establishing an efficient mixing mechanism and an energy-saving ventilation heating system. A control system, incorporating Monitor and Control Generated System and Programmable logic Controller, was developed for real-time monitoring and adjustment capabilities, substantially enhancing automation levels. The optimization proved effective by reducing the composting cycle from 13 days to 11.5 days, increasing the GI value from 83% to 89%, and lowering the humidity from 8.9% to 8.1%. Full article