Connected silos at the service of breeders

The breeder, whether working alone on his farm or within an agricultural group, must accomplish many tasks such as feeding animals. In France, the distribution of feed is one of the missions that have been modernized and partly automated thanks to the technology of connected objects. This is a high-performance system created by a company specialized in logistics optimization. These are sensors installed on the silos, which provide the farmer with a wide range of data.

What are the benefits of the connected silo for breeders? How the connected silos have changed the daily work of breeders? Here is the presentation of this ingenious and innovative system that works alongside the breeders for the well-being of the animals.

Real-time monitoring of the stock level thanks to connected silos

To feed their animals, cattle, pigs or sheep, farmers use silos as a storage place for grain or milk for example. In order to guarantee an optimal distribution, farmers need to know the filling level of each of their silos. This information enables them to anticipate orders and avoid shortages of feed.

The operation of the sensor installed on one of the silo feet

The sensor is installed on the silo by a professional in less than fifteen minutes. It is placed outside the silo, on one of its feet. The system consists of two parts:

• The thermally protected sensor,
• The electronic unit.

This system takes over from the breeder for the management and measurement of the silo filling level. Indeed, this remote technology transmits all the data to the breeder on a platform and a mobile application.

The role of sensors in the management of livestock farming

The management of livestock farming requires human and financial investment, as well as daily attention. The information provided by the sensors helps breeders to better manage their feed stock. There are two possibilities:

• The farmer makes his own silage for his own crops,
• The farmer buys directly the feed he needs.

In both cases, the feed given to the animals must always be available and perfectly stored. This is the role of the connected sensor: to check the quality of the feed and its availability. These data are then analyzed and transmitted to a dashboard. The farmer can create alert thresholds in order to optimize the management of the feed stock.

Monitor replenishment using connected silos

Once farmers know the filling level of their silos, they can control their feed supply. Indeed, knowing whether the contents of a silo can feed the animals for a few days, a week or a few weeks is a key element for farmers.

Anticipation and automation of deliveries thanks to connected sensors

This measurement technology offers two main benefits to farmers:

• Automation of controls,
• Delivery anticipation.

Automation assists farmers in their daily work, while anticipation offers them significant financial savings. Indeed, thanks to anticipation, trucks are perfectly filled and deliveries do not take place on holidays or Sundays. The farmer can therefore control the management of his supply chain autonomously.

Breeders’ work safer thanks to connected silos

The sensor offers breeders the guarantee that they will be able to feed their animals under all circumstances. But it also allows them to work in complete safety.

Measuring the contents of silos in complete safety

The sensor positioned on one of the feet of the silo replaces the work of the farmer. The farmer no longer has to climb to the top of each silo to evaluate the filling level.

On the contrary, the sensors are powerful and reliable measuring tools that help farmers in their decisions. Connected silos can generate feed orders automatically. But the farmer keeps control of his tools and can modify the parameters at any time.

Connected agriculture but secure agriculture

By defining the maximum level, or alert threshold, the farmer determines the level of production necessary for the operation of his farm. He thus secures the feeding of his cattle or pigs. Furthermore, all data collected are secure data. Indeed they are part of personal data and are therefore subject to strict regulations. The security of each piece of information collected depends on national and European legislation such as the GDPR, the General Data Protection Regulation that came into force in 2018.

Connected agriculture and sustainable agriculture represent the future of livestock farming and farms. Connected silos are a perfect example of this as they make it possible for human labor and animal feed, while preserving the environment.