The poultry sector is at a pivotal moment. With avian influenza (AI) remaining an ever-present threat, and other emerging diseases on the horizon, producers and vets are looking for ways to strengthen their defences. Traditional on-farm measures such as foot dips, visitor restrictions and controlled access areas, continue to be essential, but could digital biosecurity management tools help reshape the way risk is monitored and managed.
At Livetec, our mission is to safeguard livestock, livelihoods and the food chain, and we believe digital innovation will play a defining role in building resilience across the industry.
We caught up with Henry Lamb, Director at Crowshall Veterinary Services, to discuss value digital tech and data can bring to the poultry sector.
Moving from reactive to proactive
Henry explains, “The poultry sector generates a huge amount of data, and only now, with the introduction of advanced data harvesting and machine learning, are we beginning to tap into its full potential for biosecurity.”
Digital systems change that by turning raw data into actionable insights. Tools can monitor visitor and staff movements, flock locations, and local outbreaks, providing producers with a real-time picture of disease risk. Instead of simply reacting to biosecurity breaches, farms can proactively identify weak spots and adjust protocols before problems arise.
The tools driving innovation
We are already seeing the benefits of these systems in action. Julian Sparrey, Technical Director at Livetec adds, “As Henry highlights, there’s a huge amount of data generated in the sector, we’re just scratching the surface of what bringing all this information together can help us do. Our Livestock Protect platform combines wild bird surveillance, commercial flock data and live outbreak mapping. By making complex disease data simple and relevant, producers can assess risks at a glance and make confident decisions about movement, access and protective measures.”
Meanwhile, AccessProtect, a digital visitor logbook, not only removes the need for paperwork onsite but enhances traceability by logging visitor movements via QR codes, providing vital records during outbreaks. These technologies don’t replace the fundamentals of biosecurity, they reinforce them by providing visibility, accountability and evidence-based guidance.
Benefits for producers and vets
For producers, digital biosecurity means greater control and confidence. As Henry notes, “Knowing the disease risk in an area can help shape decisions around movement, reinforce biosecurity, and guide vaccination strategies.”
For vets, digital tools enrich conversations with clients, providing data that supports targeted recommendations. They also simplify regulatory processes such as official inspections, by bringing together maps, photos, risk scoring and tailored recommendations in one place.
Overcoming barriers
While uptake of digital biosecurity is growing, challenges remain. Connectivity in rural areas can limit real-time use, and tools must remain simple and accessible if they are to be adopted widely. As Henry points out, “If the tech is too complex or time-consuming, it won’t get used. Producers are forward-thinking, but new tools must be backed by science and deliver real value”.
This is why at Livetec, our platform is designed with usability at the core, ensuring that producers can integrate digital systems seamlessly into day-to-day operations. Julian adds, “our priority in the development of our digital tools, is to collaborate with the industry. Poor internet connectivity was raised early on as a barrier to entry for those farming in rural areas. With AccessProtect for example, the system will cache information which can be uploaded when users are back in an area with signal. No data is lost, and the user has the benefit of the access tracking information.”
Tackling persistent and emerging threats
The poultry industry knows that AI isn’t going away. Outbreaks are now being recorded year-round, breaking from historical seasonal patterns. Digital biosecurity offers a way to stay ahead, mapping outbreaks in real time, identifying high-risk zones, and enabling faster, more effective emergency response plans.
But AI is not the only concern. Climate change is enabling wider disease spread, including insect-borne pathogens. Digital tools will be essential in monitoring, modelling and managing these risks, ensuring the sector is prepared for future challenges.
A collaborative way forward
Perhaps the most important lesson is that biosecurity cannot be allowed to fade into the background. As Henry advises: “It matters every day of the year. Stay engaged, use the resources available, and encourage collaboration – vets, integrators, feed reps and other farm partners all play a role.”
At Livetec, we see digital biosecurity as a natural evolution of what the poultry sector already does well. Julian adds, “It’s not about reinventing the wheel but refining proven methods with the support of new technology. By integrating tools like Livestock Protect, producers and vets can gain real-time insights, strengthen protocols, and safeguard flocks against current and emerging threats.”
Book a demo today to see how Livestock Protect can help future-proof your biosecurity strategy.
