The current state of rural internet connectivity is generally poor and particularly challenging in rural areas located farthest from major roads, cities and larger towns.

For the livestock industry, a lack of connectivity can limit the technological advancements that can be adopted and implemented at the farm level. Video, sensor data, even basic data transfer all require the ability to quickly move information from one place to another.

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At this year’s American Association of Swine Veterinarians annual meeting Feedstuffs editor Sarah Muirhead caught up with Dr. Dale Polson to get his thoughts on the issue.  Polson, global technical manager of the diagnostics and monitoring strategic business unit at Boehringer Ingelheim, is an expert on precision livestock farming. Discussed were the current and future states of rural connectivity and what’s likely ahead for livestock producers and veterinarians.

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