Digitalization and artificial intelligence are transforming livestock management, as evidenced in the second session of the III Young Farmers Conference organized by Copreca in Trujillo, which brought together over a hundred young professionals from the sector. One of the most interesting topics was virtual fencing, presented by Alain de Gainza, sales manager of Nofence. This pioneering system, operational in Spain since 2023, allows for livestock control without physical barriers using smart collars. The devices monitor the animals' location every 15 seconds, send alerts for escape or inactivity, and allow for fence modifications via mobile. The system uses sound signals, and if the animal crosses the boundary, it applies an electric pulse. After three warnings, the farmer receives a notification on their phone. De Gainza emphasized the importance of prior training and 2G coverage, as well as equipping all adults in the herd. Among the advantages, he highlighted increased grazing area, family reconciliation, animal welfare, and fire prevention. Francisco López, managing director of Azasa, focused his presentation on the digitalization of livestock handling and weighing. He explained the evolution of animal identification, from traditional ear tags to electronic ones, which will be mandatory for animals born from July 2025. Radiofrequency identification allows for the management of large herds and real-time operations. Readers connected to mobile applications facilitate data collection and transmission. López highlighted smart scales that automatically record weight and allow for herd organization, task scheduling, and growth curve generation using artificial intelligence. The utility of AI in daily management was demonstrated by José Antonio León, IT consultant at GNU Consultores, who showed how free tools like Gemini or ChatGPT can analyze economic data, interpret information from scales and ear tags, and even review invoices to optimize costs. Rafael Díaz García from AGRODEX Digital discussed the use of drones in agriculture and livestock. These affordable and versatile devices allow for crop analysis, pesticide application, problem detection, tree counting, and evaluation of farm conditions. In livestock management, they facilitate herd control, infrastructure monitoring, and efficient resource management such as water and pasture. Equipped with thermal cameras, drones can detect feverish animals without causing them stress. The closing session featured Trujillo's mayor, Inés Rubio, and the general director of Cooperatives, Diego Sánchez Duque, who highlighted the importance of innovation and training for generational change and sector competitiveness. Sánchez Duque encouraged young people to get involved in decision-making and defended the key role of cooperatives in the future of livestock farming. Source: elperiodicoextremadura.com