Automation systems in animal husbandry
Advances in animal husbandry have also been made in sheep and pig
farming. For example, Advanced shearing automatons have been created and
are presently in commercial utilization within Australia. The actual shearing of
wool is controlled by hydraulically positioned shearing machines with force
feedback, while trajectory calculations are continuously updated during the
shearing process (Perez et al.,1998).
In addition, various feeding systems are used in sow management,
including electronic catering services for commercial purposes structures that
feed one at a time and computer-controlled structures that allow sows to eat
from 1/2 feed formulations to meet their nutritional needs (Lopes et al.,2002;
Wang et al.,2006).
Furthermore, weighing systems based on imaging systems and
mechanical scales have been developed (Schofield et al.,2002), and
physiological variables are measured using image analysis and ultrasound
probes to determine back fat to monitor feeding and growth of animals (Tillett
FUNDAMENTALS IN AGRICULTURE AND FOOD | 164
et al.,2002; Xin and Shao,2005). These advances have greatly improved
efficiency, productivity, and animal welfare in the industry.
Continued research and development are expected to drive further
technological advances in the future (Harrell et al., 1990; Hoyt et al., 2007; De
Villiers, 2008).
Conclusion
This chapter has provided an overview of the major advances in
automation systems in various areas of agriculture. In this regard, field
machinery, automatic steering, autonomous vehicles, and robots have shown
promising results in terms of precision, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness.
Automated irrigation systems, seedling production and spraying technologies
have also been extensively researched and have led to significant improvements
in crop yield and quality. The development of robots for fruit harvesting has
brought both opportunities and challenges, particularly in the areas of fruit
detection, manipulation, and transportation. In addition, automation systems in
livestock, including feeding, shearing, weighing, and monitoring, have
contributed to livestock welfare and productivity. Overall, the automated
technology in farming has significant promise for enhancing sustainable
agriculture and tackling the issue of global food security. However, additional
investigations are necessary to refine their effectiveness and guarantee their
economic feasibility.
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