Instant Insights: Sensor technologies in livestock monitoring

by Dr Mark Trotter, Derek Bailey, Jamie Barwick, Jaime Manning, Caitlin Evans, Dr Diogo Costa, Elle Fogarty, Anita Chang, Dr Dana L. M. Campbell, Dr Marisa A. Erasmus, Dr Michael Iwersen, Dr Marc Drillich, Prof Henk Hogeveen, Dr Mariska van der Voort, Dr Maciej Oczak, Dr Kristina Maschat, Dr Johannes Baumgartner

2022 · Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing

This collection features five peer-reviewed literature reviews on sensor technologies in livestock monitoring. The first chapter considers the development of on-animal sensors as a means of monitoring an array of livestock species, as well as the challenges which arise with their deployment in commercial livestock management operations. The second chapter reviews the utilisation of wearable technologies to monitor the welfare of poultry, including accelerometers. The chapter also considers the effects of these sensors on bird welfare and behaviour. The third chapter provides a detailed overview of recent advances in techniques for monitoring dairy cow health and welfare. The chapter reviews the development of diagnostic tools and sensor technologies which enable automated, continuous monitoring of livestock. The fourth chapter reviews the potential of precision livestock farming (PLF) technology to monitor dairy cattle welfare in line with the Five Domains framework. The chapter explores how PLF can positively impact each of the five domains: nutrition, environment, health, behaviour and mental state. The final chapter reviews recent advances in technologies for monitoring key indicators of pig welfare by considering good feeding, good housing, good health and appropriate behaviour.

Instant Insights: Infertility and other reproductive disorders in dairy cattle

by Alexander C. O. Evans, Shenming Zeng, Dr Michael Iwersen, Dr Marc Drillich, Dr Mekonnen Haile-Mariam, Prof. Jennie E. Pryce, Emeritus Prof Norman B. Williamson

2022 · Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing

This collection features four peer-reviewed reviews on infertility and other reproductive disorders in dairy cattle. The first chapter discusses the physiology of the main impediments to fertility and management issues that need to be addressed to ensure good fertility of dairy cows. The chapter focusses on parturition and uterine health, the importance of the post-partum environment and the role of oestrus, as well as methods of establishing pregnancy and the effect of heat stress on cows’ fertility. The second chapter considers recent developments in automated monitoring of livestock fertility and pregnancy, focussing on its implementation in dairy cattle production. The chapter explores the physiological basics of the reproductive cycle in dairy cattle and the use of artificial intelligence to monitor and report changes in animal behaviour. The third chapter reviews progress in understanding the role of genetics in addressing the decline in fertility rates in dairy cattle. The chapter discusses strategies to improve the reproductive performance of dairy cattle, including the use of different breeds, measures of fertility and genomic data. The final chapter reviews best practices to detect reproductive problems and limitations in dairy cattle. The chapter identifies key areas which are known to limit performance and provides strategies which can be implemented to optimise reproductive performance and maximise animal health.