# May the Extensive Farming System of Small Ruminants Be Smart?
## 4 Discussion  
This study represents an approach to the analysis of the Precision Livestock Farming of small ruminants raised with an extensive system. Our results highlight a recent curiosity, since 2021, towards this breeding system, mainly linked to research funded and carried out \begin{table}
\begin{tabular}{c c c c c} \hline \hline
**Device** & **Position** & **Positive Aspects** & **Negative Aspects** & **References** \\ \hline \multirow{3}{*}{Camera} & \multirow{3}{*}{fixed in the stable or in the field} & Easy installation and data acquisition & \multicolumn{2}{c}{Need to adapt structures to eliminate obstacles; limited use on pasture} & \multirow{3}{*}{[67]} \\  & & & & \\ \hline Camera coupled with & \multirow{3}{*}{mounted on remotely & Useful for & Evaluating drone images can & \\ remote sensing & & controlled drones & extensive farming & be a time-consuming & [30,42] \\  & & & & manual task & \\ \hline \multirow{6}{*}{GPS devices coupled  with remote  sensing techniques} & \multirow{6}{*}{mounted on remotely  controlled camera} & \multirow{6}{*}{Useful for  extensive  carrying: GPS collars are  readily available on the  market; real-time location  and health status of the  animal can be recorded  and /or the characterisation  behaviours are only at the  research stage} & \multirow{6}{*}{[37,64]} \\  & & & & \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{5-5}  & & & & \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{5-5}  & & & & \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{5-5}  & & & & \\ \hline Wireless (WSN) & \multirow{3}{*}{sensor nodes with data  storage and  processing capabilities} & \multirow{3}{*}{Useful for  extensive farming} & \multirow{3}{*}{Internet connection difficulties} & \multirow{3}{*}{[1,37,59]} \\ \cline{1-1} \cline{5-5}  & & & & \\ \hline \hline \end{tabular}
\end{table} 
Table 3: Strengths and weakness of sensors and network technologies. in Europe, despite it being in last place for the number of small ruminants raised outdoors. Australia represents the first place for small ruminants, the extension of pastures, and the application of PLF [39]. At the farm level, the wearable sensors, the environmental monitoring equipment, and the remote sensing can be widely employed in decision-making processes. Within livestock farming, wearable sensors present consequences due to their characteristics. Their portability brings with it specific problems such as energy management. For their operation, these solutions require electric batteries to provide continuous energy sources for data collection. In many cases, an interruption of animal monitoring is necessary for recharging [12]. [PERSON] et al. [7] reported that the diffusion of PLF tools is held back by producing extensive data whose collection requires large storage devices or cloud services that are still little-used [45]. Among the technological advances related to PLF, big data and advanced analysis capabilities are highlighted [39]. Small ruminants are of great importance in fighting the climate emergency. The distribution of sheep is throughout the national territory but primarily concentrated in southern Italy and Sardinia. Evaluations made with sensors and visual observations have shown that the breeds of southern Italy are better adapted to the climate. Therefore, using reliable sensors to measure physiological and environmental parameters, combined with intelligent methods, can help monitor climate change [9; 21; 39]. Adopting automated technologies for monitoring heat stress, such as indwelling probes, intravuminal boluses, thermography and implantable devices, can provide real-time data on body temperature and take timely measures to mitigate its effects [48]. The use of GPS collars, accelerometers, the IoT, and other devices allows for the identification of subjects in heat stress [48], with parasitosis [16], and in environmental stress [47]. It is possible to identify energy expenditure and the adaptation strategy based on the distances travelled [31]. [PERSON] et al.