Innovative Technologies and Precision Feeding Systems of Farming Animal

Dear Colleagues,

The livestock industry has continuously adapted to meet changing consumer demands, which have driven the adoption of new technologies and precision feeding systems. After World War II, the focus was on food security and increasing the supply of animal protein. This led to more intensive production, genetic improvement, and standardized feeding practices.

Over time, consumers began to expect more—not just in terms of product quality and food safety, but also traceability, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. In response, the livestock sector has increasingly turned to advanced technologies to meet these broader expectations.

This Special Issue will explore how technological innovations help to address these challenges, with a focus on precision livestock farming tools and modern feeding strategies that better match animals’ nutritional needs. We welcome original research, review articles, and case studies covering topics such as automated feeding systems, sensor-based monitoring, data-driven nutrition models, and the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in livestock production.

We are especially interested in studies that use strong statistical methods, predictive models, and real-time data to improve animal performance, feed efficiency, and the use of resources.

By highlighting decades of progress, this Special Issue aims to connect animal science, engineering, data analysis, and sustainability, as well as support the development of more ethical, efficient, and transparent livestock systems.

1. Focus:

• This Special Issue focuses on the integration of innovative technologies and precision feeding systems in livestock farming to meet evolving societal demands for productivity, sustainability, and animal welfare.

2. Scope:

The scope of this Special Issue encompasses research and practical developments related to the following topics:

• Automated and intelligent feeding systems;
• Precision nutrition and real-time dietary adjustments;
• Sensor technologies and digital monitoring tools;
• Data analysis, statistical modeling, and AI-based decision-making;
• Applications across various species (ruminants, swine, poultry, etc.) and production systems (intensive, semi-intensive, and pasture-based);
• Sustainability metrics, including environmental impacts and resource efficiency.

3. Purpose:

• The purpose of this Special Issue is to bring together interdisciplinary contributions that demonstrate how technological advances in precision livestock farming are transforming feeding strategies, optimizing animal performance, and addressing consumer-driven concerns related to quality, ethics, and sustainability in animal production.

4. Contribution to the Existing Literature:

• While numerous studies have addressed the individual aspects of animal nutrition, automation, and environmental impacts, this Special Issue aims to unify these domains under a systems-based approach. It will complement the existing literature by emphasizing the synergy between engineering, animal science, and data analytics. This Special Issue will provide up-to-date insights on how digital technologies and predictive tools are reshaping livestock nutrition management, thus filling critical gaps regarding practical applications, economic assessments, and cross-disciplinary integration.

Dr. Edney Pereira da Silva
Prof. Dr. Manoel Garcia Neto
Dr. Michele Bernardino de Lima
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. AgriEngineering is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 1600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• precision livestock farming
• automated feeding systems
• animal nutrition
• smart farming
• nutritional modeling
• feed efficiency
• livestock technology
• data-driven animal production
• statistical modeling in animal science
• sustainable livestock systems