Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) applies a complex of sensor technology, algorithms, and multiple tools for individual, real-time livestock monitoring. In intensive livestock systems, PLF is now quite widespread, allowing for the optimisation of management, thanks to the early recognition of diseases and the possibility of monitoring animals’ feeding and reproductive behaviour, with an overall improvement of their welfare. Similarly, PLF systems represent an opportunity to improve the profitability and sustainability of extensive farming systems, including those of small ruminants, rationalising the use of pastures by avoiding overgrazing and controlling animals. Despite the livestock distribution in several parts of the world, the low profit and the relatively high cost of the devices cause delays in implementing PLF systems in small ruminants compared to those in dairy cows. Applying these tools to animals in extensive systems requires customisation compared to their use in intensive systems. In many cases, the unit prices of sensors for small ruminants are higher than those developed for large animals due to miniaturisation and higher production costs associated with lower production numbers. Sheep and goat farms are often in mountainous and remote areas with poor technological infrastructure and ineffective electricity, telephone, and internet services. Moreover, small ruminant farming is usually associated with advanced age in farmers, contributing to poor local initiatives and delays in PLF implementation. A targeted literature analysis was carried out to identify technologies already applied or at an advanced stage of development for the management of grazing animals, particularly sheep and goats, and their effects on nutrition, production, and animal welfare. The current technological developments include wearable, non-wearable, and network technologies. The review of the technologies involved and the main fields of application can help identify the most suitable systems for managing grazing sheep and goats and contribute to selecting more sustainable and efficient solutions in line with current environmental and welfare concerns.

Using by-products in livestock feed can be an additional strategy for safeguarding land use in agriculture and reducing the environmental impact of animal production. Studies conducted on farms to assess the environmental impact of milk and meat production using life-cycle assessment (LCA) tools reveal that feeding accounts for approximately one-third. This study aimed to calculate the carbon footprint (CF) of three different concentrated feeds for livestock, both with and without the inclusion of by-products in the formulation. Three different formulations of concentrated feeds for dairy cows were developed homogeneously regarding energy content and crude protein. The LCA approach assessed CF in kg CO₂ eq.; the functional unit was 1 kg of concentrate feed. A sensitive analysis of soybean meal’s association with deforestation was formulated. The concentrated feed with by-products demonstrated a lower impact on CF of 23.7% and 37.0% compared to concentrated feed with a mix of raw material and by-products, and solely with raw material, respectively. Using agricultural by-products to produce concentrated feed for livestock sectors can be an environmentally sound alternative in terms of carbon footprint.