In a move to prioritize animal welfare on dairy farms, Sainsbury's has announced an investment in AI veterinary technology. The retailer is partnering with Vet Vision AI, a company from the University of Nottingham, to trial technology that uses low-cost and portable cameras to monitor cows' behavior and convert video footage into real-time, accurate data. This AI technology will provide farmers with suggestions on how to improve the animals' lifestyles, including housing improvements and enrichment. By continuously monitoring the cows, farmers can make more informed decisions and adopt a 'test and learn' approach to welfare tactics. The technology is currently being tested on 30 of Sainsbury's Dairy Development Group farms, with plans to expand next year [451b1629].
This investment by Sainsbury's demonstrates their commitment to animal welfare in the dairy industry. By partnering with Vet Vision AI, they are utilizing AI technology to monitor and enhance the well-being of cows on dairy farms. The use of low-cost and portable cameras allows for continuous monitoring of cows' behavior, providing real-time and accurate data. This data will enable farmers to make informed decisions and implement improvements to the animals' living conditions. The 'test and learn' approach will further contribute to the development of effective welfare tactics [451b1629].