Dr. Maria Dattena

Name Surname: Maria Dattena, 

Title: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, DVM, MSc  Department of Animal Science of Massey University, New Zealand.  

Position: Coordinator of the Animal Reproduction Department of AGRIS, Italy.

Dr. Dattena is the author of over 140 scientific and technical publications on problems concerning: reproductive biotechnologies. In the last 10  years, in collaboration with the  Sardinian Farmers Association, she has been carrying out updating activities for breeders, focusing her attention on breeding systems related to reproduction and management She has been a referee for national and international journals. She has participated as a researcher or coordinator, in working groups involved in research and development projects: regional, national and international.  Since 2005 she is recognized as an expert in sheep breeding by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) ONU. 

Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) tools, also known as digital technologies, have been developed to improve farm efficiency, monitor the health and wellbeing of individual animals. However, the development and uptake of such tools has been slower in the sheep industry.

European small ruminant community, working with a wide range of stakeholders. Industry needs to adapt technology to switch more sustainable and profitable production. 

For an intensive sheep production operation to be successful, the starting point is always precision farming. Sheep producers should only consider intensifying their operation when they are already farming the right flock, possess the necessary management skills and infrastructure, and have mastered the basic management tasks.

Operating well-equipped farms (‘digi-farms’) and innovative commercial farms are needed for the future sheep farming.

Prof Dr Ebru Emsen and Dr. Odevci are pioneers for building a trustable environment to develop practical, cost effective, digital solutions for the sheep and goat sectors.

Dr. Maria DATTENA