Emerging sensor technologies offer the promise of continuous, objective welfare monitoring on farms, potentially transforming early detection of animal health problems.
Traditional welfare monitoring relies on periodic human observation, which misses welfare problems that develop between inspections or are masked by prey animal behavior. Continuous sensor monitoring can detect lameness, disease, and behavioral deviations as they emerge, enabling faster intervention. However, technology does not replace the need for skilled stockpeople who can respond appropriately to alerts. Data privacy, cost barriers, and the digital divide between large and small farms are implementation challenges.