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Detecting Heat Stress in Dairy Cattle Using Neck-Mounted Activity Collars

Author

Listed:
  • Christopher Davison

    (Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK)

  • Craig Michie

    (Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK)

  • Andrew Hamilton

    (Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK)

  • Christos Tachtatzis

    (Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK)

  • Ivan Andonovic

    (Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow G1 1XQ, UK)

  • Michael Gilroy

    (Afimilk Ltd., Glasgow G2 6HJ, UK)

Abstract

Collar-based activity sensors are in common use as a means of detecting oestrus to optimise farm fertility and, hence, productivity. Recently, the same acceleration-derived signals have been processed to detect the time spent ruminating and eating, which, together, give an insight into animal welfare. Here, the use of neck-mounted accelerometers to provide a quantifiable measure of the time period that an individual animal exhibits signs of heat stress is reported. Heat stress has a significant impact on both animal welfare and productivity. Cattle studied during elevated temperatures were found to exhibit signs of exaggerated breathing motions, an indicator of heat stress, for 8 h on average per day, exceeding the time that cattle spend feeding and is similar to daily rumination times. No similar cases were recorded in the cooler conditions of a Scottish winter. The approach offers a cost-effective measure of heat stress and a potential tool to quantify its impact more generally.

Suggested Citation

  • Christopher Davison & Craig Michie & Andrew Hamilton & Christos Tachtatzis & Ivan Andonovic & Michael Gilroy, 2020. "Detecting Heat Stress in Dairy Cattle Using Neck-Mounted Activity Collars," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-11, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:10:y:2020:i:6:p:210-:d:368788
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiaoshuai Wang & Binghong Chen & Ruimin Yang & Kai Liu & Kaixuan Cuan & Mengbing Cao, 2023. "A Non-Contact and Fast Estimating Method for Respiration Rate of Cows Using Machine Vision," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-15, December.

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