“Why Promoting Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) is a Strategic Mistake for Animal Advocates” by Sam Tucker

Animal advocacy aims to systematically reduce suffering and ultimately transform our relationship with other sentient beings. Some advocates have proposed Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) (the application of AI, automation, and monitoring systems to animal agriculture) as a potential pathway to improved welfare. This post presents a systems-level analysis of why supporting PLF, despite apparent short-term benefits, is counterproductive to long-term movement goals. The Optimization Trap: How PLF Entrenches Factory Farming When evaluating interventions, we must consider not just immediate welfare impacts but system-level effects across time. PLF represents a classic case of "technological lock-in" with three key reinforcing mechanisms: 1. Economic Reinforcement Through Efficiency Gains PLF fundamentally alters the cost structure of animal agriculture by: Reducing mortality rates (a direct economic benefit to producers) Lowering labor costs through automation (enabling further scaling) Optimizing feed conversion ratios (improving profitability) Minimizing resource waste (extending viability in resource-constrained environments) These economic [...] ---Outline:(00:42) The Optimization Trap: How PLF Entrenches Factory Farming(01:03) 1. Economic Reinforcement Through Efficiency Gains(02:19) 2. Accelerated Industry Consolidation and Monopolization(04:06) 3. Regulatory Capture Through Technical Complexity(05:08) Global Expansion, Not Reduction(06:23) Expected Utility Analysis: Weighing Counterfactuals(06:36) Counterfactual 1: Redirecting Resources to Alternative Proteins(07:19) Counterfactual 2: Legislative and Corporate Campaigns(07:54) The Dangerous Difference: PLF vs. Traditional Welfare Reforms(09:34) Direct Harms and Reduced Accountability(09:46) Direct Harms:(10:52) Accountability Issues:(11:46) Game Theory Analysis: Strategic Implications(12:59) Quantifying the Net Impact(14:04) Tactical Engagement: Restricting PLF Without Reinforcing It(16:15) Conclusion--- First published: April 4th, 2025 Source: https://forum.effectivealtruism.org/posts/DGubFvoCxQYKANHRn/why-promoting-precision-livestock-farming-plf-is-a-strategic --- Narrated by TYPE III AUDIO.