DataSheet_2_Precision livestock farming: a qualitative exploration of swine industry stakeholders.docx

IntroductionPrecision livestock farming (PLF) technology development has proliferated recently, but on-farm adoption has lagged. Understanding PLF stakeholders’ views, practical applications, limitations, and concerns are necessary to understand the factors influencing the adoption of PLF technology.MethodsUsing semi-structured online interviews, 12 influential stakeholders’ PLF views and lived experiences were investigated. A phenomenological paradigm was used to generate qualitative data that was analyzed using template analysis.ResultsWe identified two unique groups of stakeholders, namely the PLF enthusiast and PLF cautious groups. The majority of the participants were well aware and had firsthand experience with the PLF technologies that are currently being used in the swine industry.DiscussionWe found that PLF technology was perceived to improve specificity in decision-making, better care for pigs, improve animal health and welfare, increase labor efficiency, and improve resource-use efficiency. Poor internet connectivity and the inability to use PLF data for decision-making due to needing to first complete daily on-farm tasks were considered key obstacles to its implementation. To integrate PLF technology into the existing barn environment, it is necessary to modify farm buildings and infrastructure and management protocols. Stakeholders’ main concerns with PLF technology included data privacy issues and the influence of PLF technology on human-animal relationships and farmers’ duty of care to the animals. In conclusion, stakeholders perceived camera systems for monitoring pig health and welfare and ensuring individual pig identification as a high priority in PLF development going forward.

近年来，精准畜牧业（PLF）技术发展迅速，但其农场应用却相对滞后。为了理解影响PLF技术采纳的因素，有必要探究PLF利益相关者的观点、实际应用、局限性以及关切之处。研究方法方面，通过半结构化在线访谈，调查了12位具有影响力的利益相关者对PLF的看法及亲身体验。采用现象学范式生成定性数据，并运用模板分析进行数据解读。研究结果显示，我们识别出两组独特的利益相关者群体，即PLF热情派和PLF谨慎派。大部分参与者对目前养猪业中使用的PLF技术有着充分的了解和亲身体验。在讨论部分，我们发现PLF技术被认为能够提高决策的针对性，提升猪只的照料水平，改善动物健康与福利，提升劳动效率，以及提高资源利用效率。网络连接不佳以及由于需要首先完成日常农场任务而无法利用PLF数据进行决策，被认为是其实施的关键障碍。为了将PLF技术融入现有的农场环境中，有必要对农场建筑、基础设施和管理流程进行修改。利益相关者对PLF技术的主要担忧包括数据隐私问题以及PLF技术对人与动物关系的影响，以及对动物照料责任的影响。总之，利益相关者认为，在PLF技术的未来发展过程中，监测猪只健康与福利以及确保个体猪只识别的摄像头系统具有较高的优先级。