• At the NEIKER technology centre we have developed a digital solution with which we seek to support the livestock sector in the environmental management of their farms through the collection and analysis of data.

The dairy cattle sector faces a number of challenges affecting its sustainability and profitability, such as labour shortages, high production costs, shortage of generational replacement and the management of cattle manure. In addition, the commitment to reduce environmental impact and ensure animal welfare adds further demands on the sector. Against this backdrop, digitalisation can help to improve the efficiency and competitiveness of livestock farming.

In this context, at NEIKER we have developed kABE, a digital platform designed to support livestock farmers in the management of their farms by collecting and analysing data in real time. This innovative tool is part of the TED-Farm project, funded by the Ministry of Science and Innovation.

‘The solution works through a network of wireless sensors that collect information on different environmental parameters, both inside and outside the livestock facilities. This data is then analysed with advanced statistical tools to identify patterns and trends, facilitating decision-making,’ explains Pilar Merino, head of NEIKER’s Natural Resources Conservation Department.Uno de los principales beneficios de kABE es el control de las condiciones ambientales de las granjas. La monitorización constante permite al sector ganadero ajustar la ventilación y la temperatura en las naves, reduciendo así el estrés por calor en los animales.

The researcher says that ‘this situation occurs when cattle are exposed to high temperatures and high humidity, which can affect their health, reduce their feed intake and decrease milk production’.

To mitigate these effects, the platform not only measures these factors in real time, but also incorporates a predictive capability to anticipate heat stress episodes several days in advance. Thanks to this information, the livestock sector can take preventive measures, such as adjusting ventilation or providing greater access to fresh water, to minimise the impact and ensure production stability.

Boosting sustainability

In addition to improving environmental conditions, kABE facilitates the management of slurry, an important aspect to consider in order to enhance the circular economy. Slurry is a source of nutrients and can be used as fertiliser. In this sense, the tool provides detailed information on its composition and the amount of nitrogen available, allowing to optimise its use and recirculate nutrients through the connection between livestock and agriculture.

The presence of digitalisation technologies in the dairy cattle sector is uneven. While technologies such as automated milking systems or sensor collars are widely developed for monitoring parameters related to health, reproduction and welfare, other tools focused on sustainability have a more limited presence on farms.

To reduce this gap, NEIKER is committed to kABE as a solution that integrates different environmental metrics to enable a global vision of efficiency and animal welfare through the use of real-time data.

For the time being, the platform has been implemented in pilot farms that are part of the TED-Farm project, where its impact and operation is being evaluated. Its use is limited to these environments, although its development could serve as a model for future applications in other facilities, driving the digital transformation of the sector.