The future of livestock farming is data-driven. By turning accurate, real-time insights into actionable decisions, producers can improve animal health and welfare, optimize performance, and build more sustainable operations. Data is becoming the foundation for smarter farming and a more resilient future.

Why Traditional Monitoring Is No Longer Enough

For generations, livestock management has relied heavily on visual observations and routine inspections. Experienced farmers can often identify changes in animal behavior, health, or performance through daily interactions with their animals.

However, modern livestock operations are becoming larger and more complex. Managing hundreds or thousands of animals makes it increasingly difficult to detect subtle changes that may indicate health issues, stress, or production inefficiencies.

Many problems develop gradually and may not become visible until they have already affected animal welfare or farm performance. Delayed detection can result in increased treatment costs, reduced productivity, and preventable losses.

Monitoring systems help bridge this gap by providing continuous observation and objective data that support faster and more informed decisions.

Key Areas Where Sensors Make the Biggest Impact

• Climate control: Monitoring temperature, humidity, CO₂, and ammonia ensure stable conditions that support growth and reduce stress.
• Feed and water monitoring: Automated systems detect blockages, leaks, or abnormal consumption patterns.
• Ventilation optimization: Sensors help balance air quality with energy efficiency.

Ammonia Sensors

It is well-proven that air polution due to high ammonia levels in broiler production results in a higher FCR, lower gain, and poorer animal welfare. Birds being exposed to high levels of ammonia can suffer from respiratory deseases, ammonia blindness, infections with Newcastle, the bronchitis virus and parasites, burned skin and feed, nutritional stress, suffocation, and even death. These sufferings will of course decrease production and increase breeding costs.

Early action benefits the productivity of the broilers as well as animal welfare. Thus, constantly monitoring the level of ammonia is essential for the poultry production. Furthermore, monitoring the level of humidity is also important, since a too high level of humidity in the livestock hous can cause formation of ammonia.

There are different ways to minimize the level of ammonia in a poultry production. One is ensuring a good quality of litter, air flow and ventilation in the house, a low level of humidity, and keeping the temperature down. Minimizing the level of ammonia have a major impact on the financial yield of the production. In fact, studies* have shown that ammonia concentrations as low as 25 ppm can reduce bird weights at 28 days of age by 2-7% while 50 ppm ammonia has been shown to reduce bird weights from 16-19%. An increased ammonia concentration can cut profits by $3,000 or more per batch in a livestock house with 25,000 broilers.

With dol-sensors’ ammonia sensors you can continuously monitor ammonia levels with great accuracy. Combined with a farm controller, the ammonia sensors can help ensuring automation of the ventilation system.

*Source: “Ammonia in the Atmosphere during Brooding Affects Performance of Broiler Chickens”, F. N. REECE, B. D. LOTT, and J. W. DEATON and “Poultry Housing Tips”, Volume 32, No. 1, University of Georgia

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Providing An Optimum Environment

Raising pigs is a significant investment, both financially and in terms of resources. One of the key factors in ensuring the health and productivity of your pigs is providing an optimum environment. A well-managed environment not only promotes good health but also enhances the overall wellbeing of the pigs, leading to better growth rates and quality produce.

Understanding the Needs of Pigs

Pigs, like any other animals, have specific environmental needs. These include the right temperature, humidity, ventilation, and space. Understanding and meeting these needs is crucial for their health and growth.

Temperature Management

Pigs are sensitive to temperature changes. Young piglets require a warmer environment as they cannot regulate their body temperature efficiently. As they grow, the optimum temperature can be gradually reduced. Overheating or chilling can lead to health issues and should be meticulously managed. To ensure that the temperature is kept stable and at the right level throughout the lifecycle of the pics, farm managers can use well-tested and accurate temperature sensors, to deliver data for the farm controller. The farm controller can automate the heating and cooling system, so that the temperature is optimum at all stages.

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