Smart technologies to improve the management and resilience to climate change of livestock housing: a systematic and critical review

Abstract

Smart technologies such as sensors, data analytics, and automated systems could play a crucial role in enhancing the resilience of livestock housing to climate change. By providing precise and timely data, these technologies enable better resource management, early detection of stressors, and adaptive responses to environmental changes. However, a comprehensive and critical evaluation of their potential role and current applications in improving the sustainability and adaptability of livestock systems to climate change is still lacking. This research provides a first investigation of the role of smart technologies in addressing climate change challenges within the livestock sector and identifies critical areas for future research and development. A systematic and critical review of 131 papers published between 2018 and 2024, focusing on the application of smart technologies to enhance the resilience of livestock housing to climate change, was carried out. The articles were categorised based on the main livestock farming systems (dairy cows, pigs, poultry, small-ruminants, and pasture-based systems) and the type of smart technologies used, including wearable and non-wearable devices for monitoring animal health and behaviour, as well as systems for controlling environmental conditions in livestock housing. The results revealed that while smart technologies are predominantly used to monitor animal behaviour and health, their application in controlling environmental conditions is still limited. Wearable devices are extensively used in dairy cows and small ruminants, whereas non-wearable devices are more common in pigs and poultry. Future research should focus on advancing sensor technology, integrating data-driven management, and enhancing communication between sensors and farmers.