From invention to innovation: Development of a digital tool for hormone-free reproduction management in small ruminants
Abstract
Our lab has developed an electronic device for automated heat detection in small ruminants. Integrated within a digital tool, named OviMate, it enables hormone-free artificial insemination practices for conventional farming systems and open the access to this practice for organic breeders. Aim: This article shares our experience regarding the invention of this tool, addressing the skills required and the steps necessary to achieve innovation. One of our main goals is to identify transferable elements for other digital technology development projects in livestock, particularly in Mediterranean and tropical contexts. Methods: Our approach is based on a conceptual framework of innovation in livestock, combining (i) co-design with end-users to adapt the tool to their needs, (ii) modelling to evaluate ex-ante the impacts of practice change scenarios, and (iii) participatory evaluation through workshops and surveys to identify barriers and levers of acceptability. Results: Despite its 100% precision and specificity scores, the electronic heat detection device shows mixed acceptability. Only 42% of the surveyed farmers had a favourable opinion, mainly due to practical and organizational barriers. Simulation outputs indicate that the associated practices transition will have global impacts on animal reproductive performance, as well as on work organization and workload. We placed modelling tools at the core of a systemic co-design framework, fostering stakeholder involvement by addressing the trade-offs between zootechnical, economic, and organizational performances. Conclusions: Our study shows that the success of an invention like OviMate depends less on its technical performance than on its integration into a favourable ecosystem.
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BibTeX
@article{menassol2026from,
title = {{From invention to innovation: Development of a digital tool for hormone-free reproduction management in small ruminants}},
author = {Jean-Baptiste Menassol and Amandine Lurette and Théo Kriszt and Eliel González García and Ellen Laclef and Nathalie Debus},
journal = {Revue d'Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.19182/remvt.37653},
url = {https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-05839451v1},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - From invention to innovation: Development of a digital tool for hormone-free reproduction management in small ruminants
AU - Jean-Baptiste Menassol
AU - Amandine Lurette
AU - Théo Kriszt
AU - Eliel González García
AU - Ellen Laclef
AU - Nathalie Debus
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/29
JO - Revue d'Elevage et de Médecine Vétérinaire des Pays Tropicaux
DO - 10.19182/remvt.37653
UR - https://hal.inrae.fr/hal-05839451v1
AB - Our lab has developed an electronic device for automated heat detection in small ruminants. Integrated within a digital tool, named OviMate, it enables hormone-free artificial insemination practices for conventional farming systems and open the access to this practice for organic breeders. Aim: This article shares our experience regarding the invention of this tool, addressing the skills required and the steps necessary to achieve innovation. One of our main goals is to identify transferable elements for other digital technology development projects in livestock, particularly in Mediterranean and tropical contexts. Methods: Our approach is based on a conceptual framework of innovation in livestock, combining (i) co-design with end-users to adapt the tool to their needs, (ii) modelling to evaluate ex-ante the impacts of practice change scenarios, and (iii) participatory evaluation through workshops and surveys to identify barriers and levers of acceptability. Results: Despite its 100% precision and specificity scores, the electronic heat detection device shows mixed acceptability. Only 42% of the surveyed farmers had a favourable opinion, mainly due to practical and organizational barriers. Simulation outputs indicate that the associated practices transition will have global impacts on animal reproductive performance, as well as on work organization and workload. We placed modelling tools at the core of a systemic co-design framework, fostering stakeholder involvement by addressing the trade-offs between zootechnical, economic, and organizational performances. Conclusions: Our study shows that the success of an invention like OviMate depends less on its technical performance than on its integration into a favourable ecosystem.
SN - 0035-1865
SN - 0035-1865
ER -