Assessment of the level of digitalization of sheep farming in Bulgaria
Yovka Popova
, Nikolay Ivanov
, Nikolay IvanovAbstract: The aim of this study is to assess the level of digitalization of sheep farms with different productive areas - dairy and meat in different regions of the country - plain, semi-mountainous and mountainous.
A study was conducted of 324 farms from different regions of the country of different sizes, where sheep are raised. For this purpose, a survey was developed, including 20 questions. The surveys were conducted by telephone or through a site visit. The method of descriptive statistics is used to analyze the results of the study.
It was found that:
Of all employed farmers, men predominate, with the largest share of employed farmers, aged 41 to 50 and 51 to 60, and having completed secondary education. The share of farmers, who are not familiar with digital technologies is high, and a negative attitude towards their application was found. The most used digital technologies are camera surveillance, milk temperature sensors, sensors for concentrated feed consumption, automatic lamb feeders and milk conductivity sensors, and the most widespread is the pasture management system. The comprehensive assessment of the level of digitalization of sheep farms is low.
A study was conducted of 324 farms from different regions of the country of different sizes, where sheep are raised. For this purpose, a survey was developed, including 20 questions. The surveys were conducted by telephone or through a site visit. The method of descriptive statistics is used to analyze the results of the study.
It was found that:
Of all employed farmers, men predominate, with the largest share of employed farmers, aged 41 to 50 and 51 to 60, and having completed secondary education. The share of farmers, who are not familiar with digital technologies is high, and a negative attitude towards their application was found. The most used digital technologies are camera surveillance, milk temperature sensors, sensors for concentrated feed consumption, automatic lamb feeders and milk conductivity sensors, and the most widespread is the pasture management system. The comprehensive assessment of the level of digitalization of sheep farms is low.
Keywords: data transfer into management systems; digital technologies; level of digitalization; pasture management; sheep farms
Citation: Popova, Yo. & Ivanov, N. (2025). Assessment of the level of digitalization of sheep farming in Bulgaria. Bulgarian Journal of Animal Husbandry, 62(3), 12-23 (Bg).
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Date published: 2025-06-25
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