Technical note: A novel approach to the detection of estrus in dairy cows using ultra-wideband technology |
| |
Authors: | EM Homer Y Gao X Meng A Dodson R Webb PC Garnsworthy |
| |
Affiliation: | * University of Nottingham, School of Biosciences, Sutton Bonington Campus, Loughborough, LE12 5RD, United Kingdom;† Nottingham Geospatial Institute, Nottingham Geospatial Building, University of Nottingham Innovation Park, Triumph Road, Nottingham, NG7 2TU, United Kingdom;‡ SRUC, Kings Buildings West Mains Road, Edinburgh, EH9 3JG, United Kingdom |
| |
Abstract: | Detection of estrus is a key determinant of profitability of dairy herds, but estrus is increasingly difficult to observe in the modern dairy cow with shorter duration and less-intense estrus. Concurrent with the unfavorable correlation between milk yield and fertility, estrus-detection rates have declined to less than 50%. We tested ultra-wideband (UWB) radio technology (Thales Research & Technology Ltd., Reading, UK) for proof of concept that estrus could be detected in dairy cows (two 1-wk-long trials; n = 16 cows, 8 in each test). The 3-dimensional positions of 12 cows with synchronized estrous cycles and 4 pregnant control cows were monitored continuously using UWB mobile units operating within a network of 8 base units for a period of 7 d. In the study, 10 cows exhibited estrus as confirmed by visual observation, activity monitoring, and milk progesterone concentrations. Automated software was developed for analysis of UWB data to detect cows in estrus and report the onset of estrus in real time. The UWB technology accurately detected 9 out of 10 cows in estrus. In addition, UWB technology accurately confirmed all 6 cows not in estrus. In conclusion, UWB technology can accurately detect estrus and hence we have demonstrated proof of concept for a novel technology that has significant potential to improve estrus-detection rates. |
| |
Keywords: | estrus estrus detection ultra-wideband technology dairy cow |
本文献已被 ScienceDirect 等数据库收录! |
|