[Special Interview] Asking Cho Yong-min, Director General of the National Institute of Animal Science, About the Future of Livestock

The commercialization of a feed additive that reduces methane emissions by up to 34%, and the development and distribution of a robotic milking machine priced at less than half that of imported products. These are among the representative R&D projects currently being pursued by the National Institute of Animal Science under the Rural Development Administration. The institute is focusing on developing and disseminating AI- and data-based precision livestock farming and low-carbon technologies to enhance the sustainability of the livestock industry, which is facing crises such as rising production costs, labor shortages, livestock diseases, climate change, and environmental burdens. Accordingly, this newspaper met with Cho Yong-min, Director General of the National Institute of Animal Science, to discuss the livestock roadmap he envisions and practical research aimed at increasing farm income.

The domestic and international conditions surrounding the livestock industry are changing rapidly. What do you see as the major issues facing Korea’s livestock industry, and what direction is the National Institute of Animal Science focusing on to address them?
“The biggest crisis currently facing the livestock industry is not any single issue, but the fact that rising production costs, labor shortages, climate change, livestock diseases, and environmental burdens are all overlapping at once. In particular, the high dependence on imported feed ingredients and fluctuations in international prices are destabilizing farm management, while aging and labor shortages are also threatening the sustainability of the livestock industry. On top of that, the burden on farms is increasing as heat waves, the risk of livestock disease outbreaks, and social demands to reduce livestock odors and greenhouse gases continue to grow.
However, this crisis can also become an opportunity to transform the livestock industry. Smart livestock farming that reduces labor and increases productivity using artificial intelligence and data, technologies that cut feed costs by utilizing domestic forage and agri-food byproducts, and technologies that convert environmental burdens into new industrial value through methane reduction and livestock manure resource utilization are all developing rapidly.
The National Institute of Animal Science plans to focus its capabilities on ensuring that research outcomes do not remain in the laboratory, but are completed as technologies that farmers and companies can actually use, and then rapidly spread through field verification and pilot projects.”

Artificial intelligence and data technologies are being used in various areas of the livestock industry. What AI technologies is the institute researching for livestock health and behavior management, barn environment control, feed supply, and work automation, and how do you expect these to change livestock farming in the field?
“We are developing technologies by species that use artificial intelligence and information collected from various sensing devices to precisely identify livestock conditions and automate feeding, breeding, and environmental management. The key is to shift from production and rearing methods based on the farmer’s experience to scientific farming based on data-driven prediction and decision-making. For example, weighing Korean native cattle requires a considerable investment of time and labor, but if body shape and weight can be measured through video, it will be effective in reducing labor and time and improving safety.
That is why, in the Korean native cattle sector, we are developing a device that automatically measures key information such as weight and body conformation through video. We plan to develop a distribution-type prototype this year, apply it on a trial basis to breeding farms starting in 2027, and then expand it to general farms. In the dairy sector, we are developing a domestically produced robotic milking machine that uses AI to recognize teat positions for milking, and we are expanding farm distribution and exports. We are also advancing functions that analyze milking data and activity levels to detect estrus or health abnormalities early.
For livestock, reducing non-pregnant days is important. Accordingly, in the pig sector, we developed a technology that automatically determines pregnancy by analyzing ultrasound images with AI. The accuracy of pregnancy diagnosis between 18 and 21 days after artificial insemination was about 98%, and this year we are carrying out a pilot project targeting 45 farms. We are also developing technologies that diagnose sow body condition through video to automatically adjust feed amounts for each individual and to detect abnormal animals in a herd early, and we plan to expand the scope of research in the future to include estrus detection and prediction of litter size.
In the poultry sector, we are conducting on-farm verification of a technology that automatically selects hens that are not laying or have abnormalities in laying status. For broilers, weight measurement by individual was laborious and accuracy was low. Therefore, we are applying integrated environmental management technology that links body weight and feed management with ventilation and floor management. We plan to develop this further into an intelligent model. This year, we will expand field verification and dissemination of the developed technologies, and from 2027 we plan to fully launch pilot projects and commercialization by analyzing their effects on farm management improvement.”
 

Carbon neutrality and feed cost reduction are important tasks for the livestock industry. Please explain the major research achievements in eco-friendly feeding technologies, including low-methane and low-protein feed, and the direction for their expansion in the field.
“Carbon neutrality and feed cost reduction are challenges that must be solved together. The institute is focusing on developing feed materials for Korean native cattle that reduce methane emissions and low-protein feed technology for pigs that lowers nitrogen emissions while maintaining productivity.
In the Korean native cattle sector, in 2025 we developed a feed material using thiamine diphosphate and confirmed that it reduced methane emissions by about 18%, and in the first half of 2026 we completed its registration as a supplementary feed. Subsequently, a material mixing thiamine diphosphate and vegetable oil showed a methane reduction effect of 28–34% in feeding trials with Korean native cattle. The related additive development technology was transferred to two companies in May 2026, and support for commercialization to verify methane reduction effects is currently being promoted.
In the pig sector, we confirmed that even if crude protein in feed is lowered by 1 percentage point, there is no decline in productivity if essential amino acids are supplemented at appropriate levels. At present, we are setting amino acid mixture levels and conducting research on productivity and metabolic physiological changes in order to clarify the nutritional effects among limiting amino acids.”

What are the major technologies the institute is developing for efficient livestock manure treatment and resource circulation, and what is the future direction of these efforts?
“For the issue of approximately 50 million tons of livestock manure generated annually, it is important to diversify treatment methods. Accordingly, in addition to the existing use of compost and liquid fertilizer, we are developing technologies to utilize livestock manure as energy and industrial materials such as solid fuel and biochar.
First, through conversion into solid fuel, it is expected that it can be used in the future for carbon emissions trading and the like. Therefore, we established an appropriate manure storage period for fuel use and developed technologies to increase calorific value or reduce odor by mixing agricultural byproducts. Based on this, we supported pilot combustion of 425 tons at Korea Southern Power in 2024 and 210 tons at Korea East-West Power in 2025, confirming the possibility of using it as power generation fuel.
In the biochar field, from 2025 to 2027 we are conducting research on using materials made by pyrolyzing livestock manure to remove pollutants such as heavy metals and dyes. Starting this year, through the project ‘Development of Carbon-Neutral Bio-Convergence Technology Using Livestock Resources,’ we are pursuing six tasks including the use of solid fuel incineration ash, bio-oil production, and hydrothermal carbonization.”

Reducing livestock odor is important for coexistence with local communities and improving the image of the livestock industry. What is the current status of odor reduction technologies being developed and distributed by the institute, and what are the plans for distributing an IoT-based odor monitoring system?
“As pig farms have shifted from open-type to enclosed-type facilities, filtering at emission outlets and continuous circulation of manure have become important. In other words, effective management requires applying technologies together that reduce odor generation, prevent it from spreading outside the barn, and continuously check odor concentration. The institute is bundling these technologies into a package for distribution to farms. Inside the barn, we are applying substances that suppress the process by which ammonia is generated from manure, as well as floating covers that cover the surface of liquid manure storage tanks. Outside the barn, deodorization towers are installed to reduce the spread of odor to surrounding areas. In addition, IoT-based measuring devices are linked so that changes in odor concentration can be checked in real time.
The technology combining odor measuring devices and deodorization towers was distributed to 12 farms in 2025, and is being expanded to 26 farms in 2026. The technology combining odor measuring devices and floating covers is also scheduled to undergo field verification in 2026 and be distributed on a pilot basis to 16 farms in 2027. Going forward, we plan to continue applying technology packages tailored to farm structure and manure treatment methods.”

Recently, the institute has also been working to expand Korean-style dairy technology overseas. Please introduce the strengths of our dairy technology and the direction for expanding overseas cooperation and market entry.
“Dairy farming faces structural challenges of aging and labor shortages. Annual labor hours per farm amount to 3,661 hours, three times that of other livestock sectors, and about 40% of that is spent on milking. To solve this problem, after 20 years of effort we localized the core element technologies and commercialized a robotic milking machine for the first time in Asia. Additional exports continued in the first half of this year as well, bringing total exports so far to 15 units (installed at 16 domestic sites), and we recently received a request for an additional purchase quotation from an existing importer in Taiwan.
There are three strengths to our technology. It has price competitiveness, as it can be supplied at less than half the price of imported products that typically cost 400 million won, at 180 million won per unit; it also has verified performance, including teat detection accuracy of over 99% and milking cup attachment time shortened by 38.9% compared with the initial model. Finally, by securing more than 200,000 cases of milking data at the national level, we have laid the foundation for escaping a structure of data dependence centered on imported equipment. Going forward, we plan to move toward a ‘K-Dairy Package’ model that provides not only equipment supply but also feeding management technology, data analysis, and after-sales service together. As the first target, we are focusing on Central Asia (Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan), and in the second half of this year we will participate in the Central Asia Livestock Conference and the EuroTier exhibition in Hanover, Germany, to solidify the foundation for exports.”
 

To reduce damage from livestock infectious diseases, early detection and preventive management are important. What research on livestock disease detection, prevention, and management is the institute pursuing, and what is the direction of field support?
“The key to responding to livestock diseases is to detect and prevent disease early and to thoroughly implement farm-level biosecurity. In particular, we are conducting related research so that abnormal animals can be identified through video and sound while minimizing contact with people as much as possible. We are developing technologies that detect changes in movement through video and determine whether an individual is abnormal through sound.
In addition, for chronic wasting diseases in cattle and pigs, we are developing early diagnostic methods and pursuing research to identify genes involved in infection and immune responses so that disease risk can be screened early. For fungal skin diseases, we confirmed the effectiveness of new therapeutic candidate substances and transferred the technology to industry.
For technologies that rapidly detect pathogens in barn environments, we are pursuing international joint research with U.S. universities, and we are also conducting research that uses fluorescent tracer substances during the disinfection process to identify and correct insufficiently disinfected areas. In addition, we analyzed adverse reactions and physiological changes after vaccination with lumpy skin disease and new genotype foot-and-mouth disease vaccines, and provided data needed for national quarantine and disease control policy.”

The impact of abnormal climate conditions such as heat waves on livestock health and productivity is growing. Please discuss the major research achievements being pursued in response to climate change and the direction of support for farms.
“The institute is focusing on a comprehensive response that includes heat wave risk prediction, development of feeding and rearing environment management technologies by species, and field technical support. First, through the ‘Livestock Weather Information System,’ we provide a five-level livestock heat stress index based on farm location (an index that numerically expresses the degree of heat felt by livestock using temperature and relative humidity), and we send risk information through notification messages. By species, for Korean native beef cattle we reduced heat stress by feeding vitamin- and zinc-fortified feed additives, and for dairy cows we confirmed the effect of lowering the internal temperature by 1.3°C by installing cooling facilities in milking waiting areas. For pigs, we increased feed intake and prevented sow weight loss by supplying cool water at 15°C to lactating sows. In the case of eggs, we confirmed that A-grade freshness is maintained for up to 42 days when refrigerated at 0–10°C, thereby establishing standards for refrigerated distribution management.
We are also strengthening field support by operating a ‘Field Technical Support Team’ from May to August 2026, visiting vulnerable farms in 42 cities and counties selected in advance to inspect facilities and provide guidance on feeding management, while also checking farmers’ work safety, including guidance on the five basic heat wave safety rules.”

You are continuing to increase the number of TMR (self-mixed fiber feed) hub farms. How many farms are there currently, and to how many do you plan to expand in the future?
“Self-mixed fiber feed is highly effective in reducing feed costs, but it is difficult for farms to adopt because it requires initial investment in facilities such as mixers and storage facilities, as well as acquisition of manufacturing technology. Accordingly, together with the National Korean Beef Association and the Korean Beef Self-Help Fund Management Committee, we are continuously promoting technical training and on-site consulting, and we are currently operating 13 TMR hub farms nationwide run by technology transfer leaders, with plans to increase that number to 18 by 2027.”
 

What do you think is most needed for our livestock industry to develop into a sustainable industry in the future? Also, please share any message you would like to convey to your colleagues, livestock farmers, and the public.
“For the livestock industry to develop into a sustainable industry, it must secure farm management stability, environmental responsibility, and public trust together. These three values must be developed in a balanced way based on practical technologies for field implementation. To achieve this, precision feeding management, smart livestock farming, low-carbon technologies, and livestock manure resource circulation technologies must take stable root in the field. We must build a livestock industry that produces safe, high-quality livestock products that consumers can trust and choose.
I would like to thank all livestock farmers who are sustaining the industry despite difficult conditions, and I hope you will use changing technologies as an opportunity to strengthen farm competitiveness. The institute will also remain a reliable technical partner until these efforts lead to tangible reductions in production costs and increases in income. I also ask the public to remember that the livestock industry is a key foundation supporting food security, and if you send warm support, we will repay you with eco-friendly and safe food.
Lastly, I find it rewarding to work with colleagues who understand the livestock industry and possess expertise. While carrying out national policy tasks, I will also lead the organization so that they can fully demonstrate their professionalism and capabilities.”