How is Technology Revolutionising Livestock Transport in the Freight Industry?
While we're so used to getting everything within a few clicks, we often overlook the logistics.
And no. It does not only happen with the products but with livestock, too!
Moving animals from one location to another is full of challenges, from infrastructure to safety to food spoilage, disease and concerns around animal health.
If we talk about a few decades ago, earlier, it was way more challenging to carry a smooth and efficient transportation of livestock carriers, but thank God for the emerging technology taking place.
Today, technology has vastly transformed different areas of agriculture, including livestock transportation. Although this field has traditionally been less focused on technology, there has been a recent increase in the use of innovative solutions in this area as farms embrace technological advancements.
In this blog post, we will explore the crucial role of technology in the agriculture and livestock industries.
The Impact of Technology on Livestock Carriers
The livestock export industry in Australia is a significant contributor to the economy of freight transport, yet there are concerns about the welfare and sustainability of animals during the journey, too.
However, with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other revolutionary technologies, improving livestock transport in Australia has become more accessible.
Let's shed light on some of the technological advancements in livestock carriers:
GPS Tracking and Monitoring Systems:
GPS tracking and monitoring systems have emerged as a crucial solution to tackle the significant problem of guaranteeing livestock safety and welfare during transportation. By incorporating these advanced technologies, farmers and transporters can now look at real-time tracking, enabling them to constantly monitor vital information such as the location, speed, and other essential parameters of their livestock vehicles. Ultimately, this innovative approach ensures that animals are transported under optimal conditions without stress or health risks.
IoT disinfected Trailers:
Using IoT technology in cleaning livestock trailers can be beneficial to know if they are disinfected from harmful infections. Since washing trailers after transport is essential, if any moisture remains, it can create new health issues for those poor animals. This is why many livestock businesses are using baking today, which removes moisture and prevents bacterial growth. However, it can be challenging to determine if the required temperature of 167 F for 15 minutes has been reached. So, in this case, IoT sensors can provide real-time updates on temperatures at different points in the trailer, eliminating any guesswork. These sensors can detect if specific areas are more relaxed and need more time under heat to remove pathogens.
Hydraulic Lift Decks:
Hydraulic lift decks are a new technology that can help get livestock in and out of trailers. Unlike ramps, which require animals to walk on an incline, lift decks work like elevators, keeping the animals on a level surface as they are raised to a new location. This reduces stress on their legs and eliminates the need for animals to navigate a ramp. While lift decks are unsuitable for larger animals like cows, they work well for smaller ones like pigs.
Air Filtration Technology:
Many livestock trailers have almost no ventilation and rely on holes in the sides for airflow. However, air filtration technology provides more precise control over air quality. Air filtration technology provides more precise control over air quality. In this situation, air technology can continuously monitor air quality in livestock trailers and adjust as needed. These systems can also notify users when filters need to be changed to ensure the animals are moving in perfect health.
Machine Learning Algorithms:
Instead of relying on human observations, machine-learning algorithms analyse human behaviour and facial expressions to identify if the animals face any stress. Cameras placed in the pens capture every moment, and this data is then fed to AI, which has been trained on a large dataset of animal behaviour in stressful situations. If the AI detects stress, it can trigger interventions such as adjusting ventilation or alerting the crew. This early detection prevents health problems and ensures a more comfortable animal journey.
Ending Note
You must leverage new and emerging technological trends to keep your livestock safe during transport. As more companies start using these innovations, it will result in more profits and sales for their businesses and, ultimately, better customer satisfaction.
Hence, if you are searching for freight transport, hay transport or livestock transport services, contact our experts at Earle’s Transport.