# May the Extensive Farming System of Small Ruminants Be Smart?
## 5 Conclusions  
The introduction of PLF technologies in extensive livestock farming can provide real-time results on the conditions of grazing animals [8; 19] and their interaction with climate change [9]. Greenhouse gas emissions and water shortages can be addressed by applying PLF to detect temperature, type of feeding and water consumption [21]. However, some technologies have limitations, such as the batteries of collars, signal reception, data accumulation and processing, and results on the behaviour and health statuses of animals in the long term [22; 23]. Invasive devices can cause discomfort, negatively affecting animal well-being and altering the behaviours intended to be monitored, leading to an increased focus on contactless technologies [33]. In this context, image analysis seems to be the most promising technique for monitoring pigs and poultry while wearable sensors, although available, are less interesting for practical applications. The adoption of new technologies is hampered by several factors, including the level of management required for implementation, structural constraints for installation, lack of knowledge of farmers, and different levels of interest in specific technologies. Smart technologies can facilitate more informed choices for the farmer and the consumer [8]. However, such technologies produce a large amount of data, which must be stored securely, easily analysed, and accessible to the user. Therefore, further efforts are needed to develop secure and accurate data storage systems, optimised data compression algorithms, and integrated long-term storage solutions. In this context, the future use of artificial intelligence tools offers prospects for advanced data processing, greater control over sensor input data, and improved decision-making. However, data privacy raises ownership, property rights, and use issues. High costs and the expertise required currently limit the development of such technologies. Access to the latest technologies may remain limited to large and industrialised farms. The digitalisation of agriculture could further influence job opportunities and job profiles in the sector. Therefore, animal husbandary, agronomy and data analysis should be deepened and combined to develop complete PLF solutions [19; 22; 24]. Although sheep and goat farming in Italy constitutes a modest fraction, from the point of view of the cultural, social, and environmental economies, breeding small ruminants is fundamental, particularly in the maintenance and protection of unproductive territories. Efficient livestock management is essential in extensive farming systems to increase environmental sustainability and ensure easy farm management. The extensive farming of small ruminants has significant disadvantages including predation by wild animals, high variability in agrometeorological conditions, staff shortages, low investment in innovation, a lack of efficient breeding programs, and on-farm technical support. Automated animal monitoring based on grazing sensors and drones offers excellent potential to improve animal welfare as it can capture animal physiology, behaviour, and environmental factors in real time. These solutions can enhance and support the farmer in the decision-making process by allowing the automation of several tasks that conventionally rely on human effort or supervision and by increasing the amount of available information, which can then be used to manage the resources more effectively. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) are regarded as key tools to improve livestock exploration efficiency, collecting relevant information about grazing animals, such as on preferred grazing areas; allowing the better management of pastures; detecting activity patterns directly associated with the animal's well-being; or even detecting attacks from predators. Conceptualisation, R.P. and A.B. ; methodology, R.P. ; software, A.M.R. ; validation, A.B., A.C. and P.C. ; formal analysis, A.D.T. ; investigation, S.C. and L.V. ; resources, E.S. and L.V. ; data curation, C.P.