The livestock industry in Europe rarely gets its flowers. Often overshadowed by crop farming or painted negative in climate debates, it quietly feeds millions, sustains rural economies, and anchors centuries of agricultural heritage. But behind the scenes, a quiet revolution is taking place, one driven by tech innovation, data science, and a renewed focus on animal welfare and sustainability.
As global demand for meat, dairy, and other animal products continues to evolve, so does the need for smarter, more efficient, and more humane farming practices. Across Europe, a new wave of companies is rising to the challenge, transforming how farmers manage livestock, reduce emissions, and meet the high standards of traceability and food safety.
In this article, we shine a spotlight on the companies leading this charge, those reimagining what livestock farming looks like in a digital, climate-conscious age.
Leading European Livestock Farming Innovators
At the end of 2023, the EU livestock population included approximately 133 million pigs, 74 million bovine animals, and 68 million sheep and goats, underscoring the scale and importance of animal agriculture in the region. This large population drives demand for innovative solutions that improve health outcomes, optimise productivity, and reduce environmental impacts. Here are the companies at the forefront of driving innovations in the European livestock industry.
1. DeLaval (Sweden)
A global leader in dairy farm technologies, DeLaval offers a wide range of automated milking solutions, including milk meters, milking machines, and the advanced AMR automatic rotary milking system. Their recent innovations include the deLaval optimat, an autonomous feeding robot that automates feed distribution and management to enhance efficiency and animal welfare. DeLaval emphasises environmental efficiency and animal safety, making it a key player in sustainable livestock farming.
2. Allflex Livestock Intelligence (Subsidiary of MSD Animal Health, US-based with strong European presence)
Allflex provides comprehensive livestock monitoring and milking automation solutions. Their products use sensors and RFID tags for real-time monitoring of reproduction, health, and nutrition. Thus, enabling farmers to make timely decisions to improve herd welfare and productivity. They operate extensively across Europe and globally, offering smart data solutions and livestock identification technologies.
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3. GEA Farm Technology (Germany)
GEA Group focuses on milking automation and innovative dairy technologies, investing heavily in research and development. They have a strong footprint in Europe and support research facilities to advance dairy farming. GEA promotes organic growth through product development and aims to expand via partnerships and acquisitions.
4. CattleEye (Ireland)
CattleEye has developed the world’s first autonomous livestock monitoring platform using deep learning AI to analyse visual data from cameras. This technology provides valuable insights into cattle health and behavior, improving farm management and animal welfare. Their AI-driven platform is revolutionising livestock monitoring and the protein supply chain.
5.Faromatics
Faromatics revolutionises poultry farming with ChickenBoy, a ceiling-mounted AI-powered robot that continuously monitors broiler chickens’ health and environmental conditions, enabling precision management that improves welfare and farm profitability. Their technology integrates robotics, sensors, AI, and cloud data analytics to automate and optimise poultry farm operations, now backed by AGCO for global scaling.
6. Volta Greentech
Volta Greentech tackles the climate impact of cattle farming by producing a seaweed-based feed additive that reduces methane emissions by over 80%. Their sustainable, land-based seaweed cultivation and scientifically validated feed supplement offer a scalable, natural solution to one of agriculture’s biggest greenhouse gas sources, with strong market and climate relevance.
7. Aiherd
Aiherd is an European agtech startup that specialises in non-invasive, AI-powered monitoring solutions for dairy cattle, with a particular focus on heat detection and herd health management. Using advanced computer vision and artificial intelligence algorithms, Aiherd continuously monitors cattle behavior through video cameras installed in barns. Unlike traditional methods that rely on wearable devices or manual observation, Aiherd’s system analyses subtle behavioral cues such as movement patterns, without physically disturbing the animals.
8. Pondus
Pondus is a European company offering AI-driven solutions tailored for poultry farming. They focus on monitoring flock behavior and health to optimise welfare and productivity. Pondus utilises artificial intelligence combined with sensor data to continuously observe poultry flocks, analyzing movement patterns, feeding behavior, vocalisations, and other indicators that reflect the health and well-being of the birds.
9. Collie
is a Dutch agtech company specialising in smart collars that enable virtual livestock fencing, transforming traditional grazing management. Their collars use sound and vibration cues to gently guide cows within virtual boundaries defined by farmers through a mobile app. When cows approach these virtual fences, audio signals warn them, and if necessary, gentle vibrations reinforce the boundary without causing stress. Collie recently secured €3.5 million in seed funding to scale its solution, positioning itself as a key player in Europe’s move toward precision and sustainable livestock management.
The Future of Livestock Farming in Europe
As pressure mounts to feed a growing population sustainably and responsibly, the future of livestock farming in Europe is poised to be smarter, cleaner, and more connected. The coming decade will see deep integration of digital technologies, evolving consumer expectations, and tighter environmental goals reshaping every corner of the sector.
- Genomics and Advanced Breeding
Genetic technologies will play a larger role in breeding healthier, more productive, and climate-resilient animals. Advances in genomics will allow farmers to select traits that improve disease resistance, feed efficiency, and fertility, reducing reliance on antibiotics and improving yields. - Full-Farm Automation
Automation is expected to go beyond milking and feeding. From autonomous cleaning robots to drone surveillance and AI-powered animal behavior monitoring, farms of the future may operate with significantly less manual labour, especially as Europe faces ongoing rural labour shortages. - Climate-Smart Livestock Systems
With the EU’s climate targets in focus, future livestock systems will be measured not just by output, but by carbon intensity. Expect increased use of emissions monitoring tools, carbon accounting platforms, and circular approaches like manure-to-energy conversion and precision grazing. - Integration with Regenerative Agriculture
Livestock will increasingly be integrated into regenerative systems, rotational grazing, agroforestry, and mixed crop-livestock models that rebuild soil health, sequester carbon, and promote biodiversity. This offers both ecological and economic benefits, especially for diversified farms.
Conclusion
The livestock industry in Europe is evolving, and the companies at the forefront of this transformation are proving that innovation is key to meeting the challenges of the modern world. From reducing environmental impact to improving animal health and boosting productivity, these pioneers are pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in agriculture.
As technology continues to evolve, so too will the opportunities for farmers to embrace smarter, more sustainable practices that benefit both their bottom line and the planet. The future of livestock farming is not just about keeping up with trends, it’s about leading the way to a more responsible, efficient, and ethical industry.
