Applications of Mechatronics to Animal Production

The concept of biosensors technology applied to animal production, mainly based on the miniaturized electronic mechanics (MEM) has being used since the mid 70s into several stages of production, such as feeding, detection of metabolic testing in animal husbandry, as well as to individual identification and monitoring, which is an important step towards tracking of actions and application of traceability of events and processes in the animal protein production chain. Last generation of such devices includes the real possibility of storing animal data as well as providing authentication protocols. The concept of specific management of a certain event rather then treating the herd/flock as a whole, likewise the precision farming, leads the precision animal production to re-evaluate losses and misdiagnosis by increasing the efficiency and accuracy and the use of precision techniques. The application of mechatronics in animal production is found through the use of biosensors and MEMs, improving data collection and allowing more precise decision making actions. This paper presents some examples of the use of this technology in specific areas related to animal production.