Housing, herd management and heat stress can affect the welfare of dairy cows and consequently their productive and reproductive performances influencing the economic and environmental sustainability of the dairy chain. New techniques can improve environment, welfare and conditions of dairy cows and consequently enhance reproduction and production. The scientific impact of the proposed project will act in the field of Precision Livestock Farming (PLF).
The project will be carried out by four University teams with a great expertise in technology applied to animal science, and it will focus on some of the most relevant aspects for farmers, i.e. heat stress mitigation, oestrus detection, contribution of pasture to animal welfare. Through the analysis of the different housing systems, the identification of parameters related to heat stress, the development of a new automated oestrus detection technology, the big data analysis, and the Life Cycle assessment (LCA), the project wishes to provide an innovative support system able to optimize farmers’ choices in term of herd management, equipment renovation and barn design.