On the market appeal of smart pedometer-based services within dairy cow farms

Abstract

The rapid advancement of new technologies has significantly transformed livestock production systems, with Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) playing a crucial role in improving economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Among PLF tools, pedometers stand out for their ability to monitor livestock activity, detect health issues, and optimize resource management. Despite their recognized advantages, pedometers remain underutilized, mainly due to concerns about complexity, battery life, and cost. To address these limitations, an innovative Stand-Alone Smart Pedometer was developed within a European Commission-funded project, incorporating an oestrus detection algorithm. Dairy farmers' willingness to pay (WTP) to adopt and use this innovative pedometer was elicited using experimental auctions and the Multiple Price List (MPL) approach. The findings indicate strong interest from farmers, suggesting that the innovative and cost-effective design could facilitate broader adoption, particularly among small and medium-sized farms, contributing to a more sustainable livestock sector.