Weichao Zheng, Chaoyuan Wang, Wen Liu, Baoming Li, Hongwei Xin
The 1st Asian Conference on Precision Livestock Farming (PLF-Asia 2016), jointly sponsored by China Agricultural University (CAU), the International Research Center for Animal Environment and Welfare (IRCAEW) and the Chinese Society of Agricultural Engineering, was convened at CAU International Conference Center, Beijing, China on September 9-11, 2016. Prof. Baoming Li from CAU and Prof. Hongwei Xin from Iowa State University co-chaired PLF-Asia 2016. Prof. Liu Zuohua from Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences (CAAS) was the Organizing Committee Chair. Prof. Yuanshi Gong, Vice President of CAU gave a welcome and opening speech. Prof. Maohua Wang, an Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering shared his thoughts on precision livestock farming in the opening remarks.
Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) aims to achieve smart animal farming by using real-time sensing, data analysis, information technology, and decision-making to improve animal health, welfare and production efficiency. PLF-Asia 2016 aimed to address issues facing the global animal production industry by bringing together some of the best minds and future professionals on PLF from around the world to share the latest research, technological advancements, farm level application, and future visions in this field. Over 190 agricultural engineers, animal scientists, veterinarians, industry leaders as well as the pre-professionals from seven countries joined together to exchange the latest findings and discuss the past experiences, current state and future development on precision livestock farming. During the conference, 33 oral presentations were given on the topics across precision livestock farming, including:
Sound monitoring technology and application
Behavior monitoring technology and application
Environmental control and monitoring
Internet of things
Software development and sensors
The keynote speech given by Mr. Junxun Wang, Deputy Director of Department of Livestock Production, China Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), presented the challenges, opportunities and measures in the transformation of animal production industry in China. Prof. Daniel Berckmans from Catholic University of Leuven, Belgium, shared latest research experience with PLF in European farms in his keynote speech. Prof. Benhai Xiong, from Institute of Animal Science of Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China, reviewed the research advances in the dynamic nutrient requirements and precision farming of animals.
Eight presentations were delivered in the general session of the conference, and laid out the most currently research findings on PLF. Prof. Hongwei Xin of Iowa State University presented an automated monitoring system for characterization of individual hen feeding and nesting behaviors in enriched colony housing. The results will enhance the development or improvement of guidelines for the hen-housing system design and management. A new mode of smart agriculture was introduced by Ms. Ying Yu of Beijing Nongxin Internet Technology Co., Ltd, China. Prof. Guoqing Zhang of Aarhus University reviewed models defining effective temperature for different farm animals. A fundamental principle underlying the development of an integrated indoor climate sensor to reflect animal thermal well-being was also presented by Prof. Zhang. Prof. Lingying Zhao of The Ohio State University introduced development of embedded systems and advanced sensor networks for precision monitoring of indoor environment in animal buildings. Prof. Daniel Berckmans of Catholic University of Leuven shared the design of a farm prototype for automated detection of lame dairy cows. Farmers have started implementing the information from the warning system using the design in their daily lameness management. Precision application of the information construction based on SAP for layer breeding hens was reported by Ms. Aiqiao Liu of Yukou Poultry, China. Dr. Jiqin Ni of Purdue University shared his experience on how to use low-cost passive infrared detectors to monitor pig activities in a research facility. Dr. Richard Gates of University of Illinois showed image analysis as a method for assessing broiler chicken’s feeding behavior, which yielded a lower percentage error compared to data obtained by the visual method.
A total of 22 oral presentations by global researchers covered considerable new precision farming technologies and methods developed for monitoring the thermal environments, growth and production, behaviors and health status for poultry, pigs and cattle. In addition, some research activities and progress on information techniques including platform, precision control and technology innovations in animal production processes were shared. Along with the oral presentations to support the central theme of the conference are 36 quality contributing papers and extended abstracts from global researchers.
With the promulgation and implementation of “Health China 2030 program”, the safety of animal products is getting more and more attention. Healthy livestock farming cannot be accomplished without the precision intelligent control on feed nutrition and housing environment, precision monitoring and data feedback on the related parameters during production, as well as precision management. Seven biennial European conferences on PLF (EU-PLF) have been continuously held in Europe. As livestock farming transformation intensifies in China, holding the 1st PLF-Asia (PLF-Asia 2016) in Beijing is expected to be beneficial to the development, both technically and strategically, long and short term. Led by IRCAEW (www.ircaew.org/), the conference was jointly hosted by the Key Laboratory of Agricultural Engineering in Structure and Environment, MOA; Chongqing Academy of Animal Sciences; and Zhejiang University.
|
渝公网安备50022602000241号