By Catherine Carlton, Livestock project assistant at Innovation for Agriculture 

 

Artificial intelligence (AI) and other technological advancements have the potential to enhance calf welfare on farms.

This was the topic for discussion at a recent workshop held at Harper Adams University in collaboration with the Calf Action Network & Innovation for Agriculture. The workshop aimed to understand both the needs of both calves and the people who care for them, as well as how technology could address these needs while supporting the overall farming industry.

 

Bringing together diverse stakeholders

The one-day event brought together 64 participants from various sectors, including calf rearers and farmers, dairy and beef industry representatives, veterinarians, agri-tech representatives, animal welfare experts, and university students. The attendees explored practical aspects of calf rearing, with a focus on how technology could play a role in improving calf welfare.

Key themes discussed included the importance of animal-centred design, co-design (developing technologies with and for the users), and the role technology can play in monitoring and improving calf health, comfort, and overall well-being. Participants formed groups to discuss how technology could address the real-world challenges faced by calf rearers, veterinarians, and other stakeholders.

 

What do calves need?

The preliminary results of the workshop highlighted several key themes related to calf welfare:

  • Optimal feeding & health - Calves need access to high-quality nutrition and monitoring systems to ensure they are growing and developing properly.
  • Comfort - Creating a comfortable environment for calves is crucial for their well-being.
  • Enrichment & socialisation - Calves, like any young animal, require mental stimulation and social interaction to develop properly.
  • Naturalness - Ensuring that the environment mimics natural conditions as much as possible is essential.
  • Consistency in management - Calves benefit from consistent care and management, which helps them thrive.

 

Addressing the challenge of labour shortages

One of the major challenges raised during the workshop was the shortage of skilled labour on farms. While technology can't replace good stockmanship, it can certainly complement and support farm staff. For example, automated milk feeding systems and tools to detect pre-clinical illness could alleviate some of the pressure on farmers and veterinarians, ensuring that calves receive the attention and care they need.

Technology could also help improve the visibility of calf management decisions, allowing farmers to better understand the long-term consequences and costs of their actions at various stages in a calf's life. With AI-powered data management systems, stakeholders could access lifetime animal monitoring, providing valuable insights into the opportunity costs of different management decisions.

 

Bridging the gap with data

AI emerged as a promising tool in the discussions, particularly its potential to unify and interpret data from various sources. A major challenge on many farms today is the lack of integrated data systems that can track calves throughout their lives. AI-powered systems and advanced technologies could provide comprehensive monitoring from birth through to adulthood, helping farmers make more informed decisions based on real-time data.

Additionally, the idea of remote monitoring, without the need for wearable technologies, was highlighted as a key benefit. Traditional wearable technologies, while useful, can be uncomfortable for the animals and are often difficult to transfer between calves. Remote monitoring would not only improve calf welfare but also reduce the labour burden on farm staff.

 

Co-designing calf technologies for success

One of the overarching themes of the workshop was the importance of understanding farm contexts and the specific needs of users (both human and animal). Developing technologies that are not only effective but also user-friendly and affordable is essential for successful adoption. By involving stakeholders directly in the design process, we can ensure that these technologies meet the real needs of both the calves and the people who care for them.

The next steps for this project will involve a more detailed analysis of the workshop outcomes, with the goal of creating actionable recommendations for technology developers, farmers, and researchers.

 

Looking ahead

As we move toward a future where technology plays an increasingly important role in agriculture, it's clear that AI and advanced technology have the potential to transform calf care. By focusing on both calf welfare and the needs of farm staff, we can create solutions that benefit everyone involved — from the animals to the farmers to the wider agricultural industry.

Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to explore the role of AI and advanced technology in enhancing calf welfare and developing technologies that make a real difference on the ground.