Time For Tech - The Time is Now

The UK's livestock sector, which contributed £14.7bn to the economy in 2020 (Innovate UK, 2020), stands at the threshold of a technological transformation.

With the publication of our ‘Time for Tech’ white paper, MSD Animal Health aims to highlight the benefits of the widespread integration of advanced technologies that promote animal welfare, reduce antimicrobial use and promote a sustainable future for the industry.

Exploring the opportunities and barriers currently facing livestock farmers, this white paper advocates for a unified, technology-driven approach. An approach that helps mitigate climate change while feeding a rapidly growing global population through accelerated innovation and enhanced production efficiencies, and aligns with the World Health Organization’s One Health initiative.

This whitepaper is a collaboration with leading animal health experts and provides a comprehensive analysis of the scientific evidence for the growing assistance that technology can provide for the agricultural industry and for improving the health of livestock on a wide scale.

It follows two earlier white papers by MSD Animal Health in the Time to Vaccinate series that highlights the role of preventative health in improving productivity and sustainability on farm to meet the challenge of future food security. At MSD Animal Health, we believe technology is a key component of 21st century farming. In recent years, our business’ biopharma portfolio has been complemented by the acquisition and investment in agri-tech solutions. Preventative vaccination and treatment in tandem with real time data insights are key to delivering higher welfare, and improved production efficiencies through informed farm management decisions, and enabling greater traceability and transparency in the supply chain.

Time for Tech emphasises that there are crucial impacts that can be made through adapting to the rapidly advancing technological climate .

To gain widespread traction, precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies require greater collaboration, integration and understanding. Only then can we change behaviours and achieve better outcomes. We hope this report helps to stimulate wider discussions. If you want to find out more from MSD Animal Health, please contact johnny.mackey@msd.com.

Opportunities for the livestock sector

Time for Tech outlines the following opportunities for the livestock sector:

Improved health and welfare: Real time monitoring provides data on behaviours that can assist with detection of potential health issues.
Environmental improvements: PLF could potentially help manage waste, reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and improve land use efficiency
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR): Continuous health monitoring allows for immediate intervention, minimising spread of infection and reducing reliance on broad spectrum antibiotics
Economic efficiencies: PLF can reduce costs and increase profitability by enhancing feed efficiency, growth rates, and breeding outcomes which all directly contribute to the economic sustainability of livestock businesses
Food security: Improved health management and disease control leads to more consistent production, ensuring a reliable food supply.
Labour empowerment and resource management: The automation of routine tasks allows staff to focus on more skilled activities and optimises work allocation to improve operational efficiencies

The Impact of Technology on the Sustainability of the Livestock Sector

"Improving livestock productivity can improve all facets of sustainability - envrionmental, economic and social."

"Utilising technologies that allow diseases to be detected, identified, controlled and cured more quickly can therefore have significant food security benefits as well as improving sustainability ..."

Professor Jude L.Capper

Take the pledge. The time for tech is now.
We invite all stakeholders to pledge their support for technology-driven transformation in the livestock sector. Together, we can achieve a sustainable, efficient and health-oriented future.