Selected Model for Smart Livestock Package Including 'Health Management Solution' to Reduce Calf Mortality Rate

Model Distribution to 77 Livestock Farms Starting September

The 'Calf Health and Growth Management Solution,' which is expected to reduce mortality rates, save labor, and improve productivity through 24-hour precise health and growth monitoring of calves, has been selected as a 2024 Smart Livestock Package distribution model.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs announced on the 26th that it has finalized the selection of the 2024 Smart Livestock Package distribution models and the livestock farms eligible for support.

The Smart Livestock Package distribution project, which began in 2023, aims to address the complex on-site issues faced by livestock farms?such as reducing management costs and improving productivity, lowering odor and carbon emissions, enhancing animal welfare, and strengthening quarantine?by distributing sets of information and communication technology (ICT) equipment necessary for remote and precise control of major livestock operations along with their operational solutions.

A total of 21 distribution package models were selected through external expert review for 2024. By livestock type, there are 4 for Hanwoo cattle, 7 for dairy farming, 4 for pig farming, and 6 for poultry. By category, there are ▲9 for productivity improvement ▲5 for carbon and odor reduction ▲4 for management and feed cost reduction ▲3 for individual health and reproduction management.

Models that received excellent evaluations by livestock type include the 'Calf Health and Growth Management Solution (Hanwoo),' which uses individual biometric data collectors (collar-type wearables) and is expected to reduce calf mortality rates; the 'Dairy Cow Milking Volume Improvement Solution (Dairy),' which supports barn environment and feeding management specialized for dairy cows and is expected to increase average daily milking volume by 15%; the 'Sow and Pregnant Sow Optimal Management Solution (Pig Farming),' which integrates 3D body shape scanners and pregnancy and sow automatic feeders to reduce feed costs and improve productivity; and the 'Broiler Productivity Improvement Solution (Poultry),' which provides environment control devices suitable for poultry, feed bin management devices, and an integrated broiler operation management platform, expected to enhance productivity and reduce management costs.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs plans to strengthen collaboration with local governments and support budgets to ensure the rapid installation and operation of excellent package models, aiming to achieve early results from their adoption.

Kim Jeong-wook, Director of Livestock Policy at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, said, "The selected package models have a high overall technological level, such as utilizing accumulated livestock data through artificial intelligence (AI). The supported livestock farms also have excellent capabilities in using ICT equipment and a strong willingness to improve livestock management efficiency, so we expect to achieve results in solving complex livestock field issues. Moving forward, we plan to strengthen on-site close consulting support using experts such as Smart Livestock Youth Supporters and widely disseminate best practices."