Livestock farming is changing fast. As the world demands more sustainable and ethical food, there’s real pressure to adapt. But for SMEs and agri-tech innovators, this isn’t just a challenge, it’s your chance to lead meaningful change and drive positive impact across the industry.
If you’re looking for specialist facilities to test and validate agri-tech solutions in the livestock sector, you’re in the right place. The Centre for Digital Innovation Applied to Livestock (C-DIAL) addresses key challenges in livestock food production, with a focus on health and welfare management. C-DIAL uses the latest digital tech and scientific know-how to make sure animal welfare and productivity go hand in hand. The team mixes data science, engineering and veterinary smarts to completely rethink how livestock are monitored and managed.
A hub for collaboration
The Centre’s focus areas are:
- A farming systems approach to enhancing animal health and welfare
- Development of practical on-farm monitoring and assessment of livestock
- Refining husbandry and housing practices to improve health and welfare
- Application of cutting-edge video and computing techniques for livestock monitoring
Validated tools for better welfare
With C-DIAL’s digital tools, you can unlock a new level of insight into animal health and behaviour. High-definition cameras, thermal imaging and automatic feeding systems work together to detect the early signs of illness – often before they’re visible to the human eye. This proactive approach means faster, more effective targeted treatment, quicker recovery times and a smarter use of antibiotics.
Through digital imaging and remote visualisation, you can keep an eye on animal behaviour and physiology with minimal physical interaction. Less handling means less stress for livestock and because the tech works around the clock, you get tailored management and continuous monitoring of the performance of individual animals.
Specialist digital technologies
C-DIAL is equipped with a range of state-of-the-art tools and technologies for livestock monitoring including:
- High-definition networked digital cameras and depth perception cameras for behaviour observations
- An 18-metre gait analysis laboratory for 3D tracking of animal movement
- The Farmex BarnReport® system for remote environmental monitoring
- Thermal and hyperspectral imaging systems adaptable to various sensor types
- Bluetooth weighing systems and Nedap feeders for individual animal performance tracking
Live Innovation at C-DIAL
The C-DIAL facilities are being used in the monitoring of bird welfare as part of the Flockwise project, funded by Defra’s Farming Innovation Programme in partnership with Innovate UK. Led by FAI farms, this project brings together experts from Newcastle University, The Lakes Free Range Egg Company and the UK Agri-Tech Centre to develop a sensor embedded flock management system for chickens that increases productivity and efficiency, whilst improving laying hen health and welfare.
This capability is based at the University of Newcastle’s Cockle Park Farm.
