The emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant threat to global food security, human health, and the future of livestock production. Higher rates of antimicrobial use in dairy farming and the sheer lack of new antimicrobials available for use focused attention on the question of how the dairy production sector contributed to the development of AMR and paved the path toward taking action to curtail it on the targeted type of farms. This paper aims to provide an introduction to a phenomenon that has gained considerable attention in the recent past due to its ever-increasing impact, the use of antimicrobial drugs, the emergence of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) on dairy farms, and seeks to discuss the possibilities of approaches such as digital health monitoring and precision livestock farming. Using sensors, data, knowledge, automation, etc., digital health monitoring, as well as Precision Livestock Farming (PLF), is expected to enhance health control and minimize disease and antimicrobial usage. The work presents a literature review on the current status and trends of AMR in dairy farms, an understanding of the concept of digital health monitoring and PLF, and the presentation and usefulness of digital health monitoring and PLF in preventing AMR. The study also analyses the strengths and weaknesses of adopting and incorporating digital technologies and artificial intelligence for dairy farming and presents areas for further study and level of use.

Traditional cattle production practices relied heavily on manual observation and empirical decision-making, often leading to inconsistent outcomes. In contrast, modern approaches leverage technology to achieve greater precision and efficiency. Advancement in technology has shifted to a new dimension of predictive and monitoring in cattle health management. This review aims at highlighting the available and current digital technologies in cattle health, evaluate their utility in practice, and identify possible future advancements in the field that can potentially bring even more changes to this industry. The paper highlights some of the barriers and disadvantages of using these technologies, such as data security issues, high capital investments, and skills gap. The integration of these advanced technologies is set to play a fundamental role in enabling the livestock industry to meet the rising global demand for high-quality, sustainably produced products. These technologies are essential for ensuring compliance with ethical standards and best practices in cattle care and well-being. In light of these advancements, the application of digital innovations will support the achievement of socially responsible cattle production, while simultaneously maintaining optimal levels of animal health and welfare.

Soil degradation in both agricultural and urban environments is accelerating due to intensive land use, plastic pollution, construction practices, and climate change, threatening ecosystem stability, food security, and carbon storage capacity. This review synthesizes current advances in biopolymeric materials as regenerative alternatives to conventional soil management approaches. Biopolymers derived from natural sources—including polysaccharides, proteins, and lignin-based compounds—are examined for their multifunctional roles in improving soil structure, enhancing water retention, optimizing nutrient delivery, stabilizing slopes, and supporting pollutant immobilization. Recent developments highlight the emergence of stimuli-responsive hydrogels, controlled-release fertilizer matrices, and composite soil conditioners capable of simultaneously addressing water stress, salinity, erosion, and contamination. In parallel, biodegradable agricultural films and in-soil degradable materials offer pathways to reduce microplastic accumulation while maintaining agronomic performance. Beyond agriculture, bio-based construction materials and bio-receptive design strategies extend biopolymeric interventions into the built environment, promoting soil permeability, microbial diversity, and circular material flows. The review emphasizes the need for context-specific formulation, long-term field validation, and life-cycle assessment to ensure environmental safety and scalability. By integrating soil science, polymer chemistry, and regenerative design, biopolymeric systems are described here as tools for restoring soil health and fostering resilient urban–rural ecosystems under conditions of environmental change.

Sensor technology in dairy farming has revolutionized animal management by increasing productivity, health monitoring, and overall farm efficiency. However, integrating sensor data from multiple devices and brands poses considerable challenges. This article delves into the major challenges that dairy farmers encounter when using various sensor technologies, such as data compatibility, interoperability, standardization, data security, and data management problems. It also covers prospective solutions, such as standardizing data, harmonization efforts, and enhanced data integration approaches. Addressing the aforementioned challenges is a cornerstone for fully harnessing the potential of sensor technology in the dairy industry.

The chapter investigates how digital technologies transform the worldwide dairy industry by analyzing their effects on productivity levels, environmental sustainability and rural economic growth. The chapter examines IoT sensors and artificial intelligence used for herd health monitoring, blockchain technology for supply chain traceability and advanced data analytics to explain how these technologies will enable precision farming, optimize resource allocation, and improve animal welfare. The analysis recognizes the wider social and structural effects, which include changes in labor needs and requirements for new skills and ongoing digital inclusion problems in rural areas. The chapter examines policy frameworks that appear necessary for achieving sustainable digital adoption that benefits all stakeholders. The analysis positions digital transformation as a complex socio-economic phenomenon rather than viewing technology as a universal solution, thereby providing strategic guidance for dairy industry stakeholders who aim to sustain innovation while ensuring inclusivity and resilience.

The dairy industry faces growing challenges in optimizing productivity, animal welfare, and sustainability. Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) are emerging technologies that offer innovative solutions to enhance management practices on dairy farms. This paper explores the integration of PLF and AI in 5 dairy cattle farms from N-E of Romania, covering key areas such as health monitoring, reproductive management, nutrition optimization, and herd performance tracking.