Design framework for bio-logging devices for monitoring grazing ruminants

Grazing is known to be a cost-effective feeding strategy that improves product quality, animal welfare, and the sustainability of livestock systems. Improving grazing management is therefore crucial and requires a deep understanding of grazing animal behaviour to derive management strategies. In this context, Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) offers significant opportunities to monitor continuously the grazing behaviour of ruminants. Numerous reviews have already synthesized aspects of PLF in general, sensing technologies, and their applications in grazing systems, but each with different focuses. This paper consolidates insights from recent reviews and provides: (i) a concise classification of technologies used to study grazing behaviour; (ii) a framework to support PLF device design for grazing contexts; (iii) an illustrative case study applying these principles. This document primarily aims to support decision-making during the design of PLF sensing devices in grazing management research.