Digital Innovation in Livestock Farming: Technologies, Data, and Connectivity for a Sustainable Future. Interview with Nikolaj Ingemann Nielsen

In our latestinterview with EAAP experts, we spoke with Dr Nikolaj Ingemann Nielsen, a livestock innovation expert from Denmark. Trained as a nutritionist and specialising in dairy cattle, Nielsen develops digital tools to optimise animal nutrition and reduce the environmental footprint of milk and meat production.

A major focus of his work is reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane from ruminants, through the use of feed additives and tailored diets. He also stresses the importance of collaboration with universities and farmers to ensure these solutions are practical and scalable.

In Denmark, digitalisation is already embedded in farming. All feed plans and additive use are logged digitally and monitored monthly. Farm management software allows producers to track ingredients, adjust diets, and monitor animal groups—essential tools, especially for larger farms. Although the average farmer is 58, most have adopted smartphones and tablets to simplify tasks such as registering calf births or recording insemination data.

While not every farmer is tech-savvy, many rely on consultants or younger staff to handle digital systems. As Nielsen points out, “It’s no longer possible to run a modern farm with just pen and paper.” Digital tools are widely seen not as costs, but as investments—enhancing productivity, enabling early detection of health issues, and improving animal welfare.

Sensors, for instance, can detect when a cow is in heat or if rumination declines, allowing timely intervention. Wearables and real-time monitoring are becoming increasingly common, helping to reduce the need for medication.

But digital transformation comes with challenges. The biggest isn’t data collection—it’s data integration. Information is often fragmented across systems and companies, making unified use difficult. Infrastructure is another hurdle: while Denmark has strong rural connectivity, other countries still struggle with basic internet access.

Talking with Dr Ingemann Nielsen, we have the confirmation that digitalisation offers huge potential to boost efficiency, welfare, and sustainability, but only if paired with the right infrastructure, tools, and cultural readiness on the ground.