Second U.S. Precision Livestock Farming Conference Inspires Global Collaboration

Second American Conference the Precision Livestock Farming Conference organized by the University of Tennessee AgResearch brought together experts and stakeholders from across the globe to explore the potential of precision technologies in livestock production. The conference, with a central theme of "Field Application of PLF Technologies," witnessed the participation of 219 attendees representing 22 countries and 32 U.S. states.  

The diverse group included academics, government representatives, allied industries, and producers, fostering interactive dialogues on increasing the practical adoption of precision livestock farming technologies. 

With a focus on knowledge exchange, the conference featured academic presentations, industry and producer panels, and facilitated discussions. The event resulted in the publication of over 125 scientific papers in the conference proceedings, with a selection of twenty papers to be published in a special edition of the international journal Animals. 

The USDA's National Institute for Food and Agriculture (NIFA) supported the conference through a grant, facilitating mentoring opportunities for young professionals and early career scientists, and offering attendance scholarships for minority producers and faculty from minority-serving institutions. The NIFA grant also covers the publication costs for selected papers authored by educators and scientists from these institutions. 

The success of the conference can be attributed to the collaborative efforts of the Conference Planning Committee, led by Robert Burns of the UT Institute of Agriculture. Notable attendees included Tennessee Department of Agriculture Commissioner Charlie Hatcher, DVM, and Deputy Commissioner Jeff Aiken, emphasizing the forward-thinking support of the University's Precision Livestock Farming Initiative. 

The conference not only facilitated global collaborations but also contributed to the advancement of precision livestock farming practices through real-world applications and shared expertise.