1
|
Kim H, Kim H, Kim WH, Min W, Kim G, Chang H. Development of a Parturition Detection System for Korean Native Black Goats. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:634. [PMID: 38396602 PMCID: PMC10885883 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040634] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Korean Native Black Goats deliver mainly during the cold season. However, in winter, there is a high risk of stunted growth and mortality for their newborns. Therefore, we conducted this study to develop a KNBG parturition detection system that detects and provides managers with early notification of the signs of parturition. The KNBG parturition detection system consists of triaxial accelerometers, gateways, a server, and parturition detection alarm terminals. Then, two different data, the labor and non-labor data, were acquired and a Decision Tree algorithm was used to classify them. After classifying the labor and non-labor states, the sum of the labor status data was multiplied by the activity count value to enhance the classification accuracy. Finally, the Labor Pain Index (LPI) was derived. Based on the LPI, the optimal processing time window was determined to be 10 min, and the threshold value for labor classification was determined to be 14 240.92. The parturition detection rate was 82.4%, with 14 out of 17 parturitions successfully detected, and the average parturition detection time was 90.6 min before the actual parturition time of the first kid. The KNBG parturition detection system is expected to reduce the risk of stunted growth and mortality due to hypothermia in KNBG kids by detecting parturition 90.6 min before the parturition of the first kid, with a success rate of 82.4%, enabling parturition nursing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Heungsu Kim
- Division of Animal Science, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (H.K.); (H.K.)
| | - Hyunse Kim
- Division of Animal Science, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (H.K.); (H.K.)
| | - Woo H. Kim
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (W.H.K.); (W.M.)
| | - Wongi Min
- College of Veterinary Medicine, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (W.H.K.); (W.M.)
| | - Geonwoo Kim
- Department of Biosystem Engineering, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| | - Honghee Chang
- Division of Animal Science, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea; (H.K.); (H.K.)
- Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Gyeongsangnam-do, Jinju 52828, Republic of Korea
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hlimi A, El Otmani S, Elame F, Chentouf M, El Halimi R, Chebli Y. Application of Precision Technologies to Characterize Animal Behavior: A Review. Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:416. [PMID: 38338058 PMCID: PMC10854988 DOI: 10.3390/ani14030416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/26/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
This study aims to evaluate the state of precision livestock farming (PLF)'s spread, utilization, effectiveness, and evolution over the years. PLF includes a plethora of tools, which can aid in a number of laborious and complex tasks. These tools are often used in the monitoring of different animals, with the objective to increase production and improve animal welfare. The most frequently monitored attributes tend to be behavior, welfare, and social interaction. This study focused on the application of three types of technology: wearable sensors, video observation, and smartphones. For the wearable devices, the focus was on accelerometers and global positioning systems. For the video observation, the study addressed drones and cameras. The animals monitored by these tools were the most common ruminants, which are cattle, sheep, and goats. This review involved 108 articles that were believed to be pertinent. Most of the studied papers were very accurate, for most tools, when utilized appropriate; some showed great benefits and potential.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Abdellah Hlimi
- Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Tangier, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco
- Laboratory of Mathematics and Applications, Faculty of Science and Technology, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Tangier 90000, Morocco
| | - Samira El Otmani
- Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Tangier, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco
| | - Fouad Elame
- Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Agadir, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco
| | - Mouad Chentouf
- Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Tangier, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco
| | - Rachid El Halimi
- Laboratory of Mathematics and Applications, Faculty of Science and Technology, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University, Tangier 90000, Morocco
| | - Youssef Chebli
- Regional Center of Agricultural Research of Tangier, National Institute of Agricultural Research, Avenue Ennasr, BP 415 Rabat Principale, Rabat 10090, Morocco
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Fogarty ES, Cronin GM, Trotter M. Exploring the potential for on-animal sensors to detect adverse welfare events: A case study of detecting ewe behaviour prior to vaginal prolapse. Anim Welf 2022. [DOI: 10.7120/09627286.31.3.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/05/2022]
Abstract
Parturition is a critical period for the ewe and lamb, and the incidence of dystocia has known impacts on lamb and ewe welfare and productivity. Current methods of dystocia monitoring are mostly conducted through visual observation. Novel approaches for monitoring have also been suggested,
including the application of on-animal sensor technologies for remote surveillance of parturition success. This short communication explores how the use of sensor-based parturition detection models can be applied for detection of adverse and successful parturition events, respectively, in
pasture-based sheep (Ovis aries). Specifically, the alert profile of a single ewe that experienced vaginal prolapse is reported and compared with the alert profiles of 13 ewes that experienced typical birth events. Although the ewe that experienced vaginal prolapse exhibited some common
precursor alerts similar to ewes that progressed through a typical birth event, the overall alert profile was markedly different for the prolapsed animal, with an increased number of alerts occurring from five days prior to the prolapse event. As successful parturition has significant welfare
and productivity outcomes, application and validation of these research findings in a commercial system could greatly improve current methods of welfare monitoring at lambing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- ES Fogarty
- Institute for Future Farming Systems, Central Queensland Innovation and Research Precinct, CQUniversity, 630 Ibis Ave, Rockhampton, QLD 4701, Australia
| | - GM Cronin
- The University of Sydney, Faculty of Science - SOLES, Camden, NSW, Australia
| | - M Trotter
- Institute for Future Farming Systems, Central Queensland Innovation and Research Precinct, CQUniversity, 630 Ibis Ave, Rockhampton, QLD 4701, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Tobin CT, Bailey DW, Stephenson MB, Trotter MG, Knight CW, Faist AM. Opportunities to monitor animal welfare using the five freedoms with precision livestock management on rangelands. FRONTIERS IN ANIMAL SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.3389/fanim.2022.928514] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Advances in technology have led to precision livestock management, a developing research field. Precision livestock management has potential to improve sustainable meat production through continuous, real-time tracking which can help livestock managers remotely monitor and enhance animal welfare in extensive rangeland systems. The combination of global positioning systems (GPS) and accessible data transmission gives livestock managers the ability to locate animals in arduous weather, track animal patterns throughout the grazing season, and improve handling practices. Accelerometers fitted to ear tags or collars have the potential to identify behavioral changes through variation in the intensity of movement that can occur during grazing, the onset of disease, parturition or responses to other environmental and management stressors. The ability to remotely detect disease, parturition, or effects of stress, combined with appropriate algorithms and data analysis, can be used to notify livestock managers and expedite response times to bolster animal welfare and productivity. The “Five Freedoms” were developed to help guide the evaluation and impact of management practices on animal welfare. These freedoms and welfare concerns differ between intensive (i.e., feed lot) and extensive (i.e., rangeland) systems. The provisions of the Five Freedoms can be used as a conceptual framework to demonstrate how precision livestock management can be used to improve the welfare of livestock grazing on extensive rangeland systems.
Collapse
|
5
|
Extensive Sheep and Goat Production: The Role of Novel Technologies towards Sustainability and Animal Welfare. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12070885. [PMID: 35405874 PMCID: PMC8996830 DOI: 10.3390/ani12070885] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary New technologies have been recognized as valuable in controlling, monitoring, and managing farm animal activities. It makes it possible to deepen the knowledge of animal behavior and improve animal welfare and health, which has positive implications for the sustainability of animal production. In recent years, successful technological developments have been applied in intensive farming systems; however, due to challenging conditions that extensive pasture-based systems show, technology has been more limited. Nevertheless, awareness of the available technological solutions for extensive conditions can increase the implementation of their adoption among farmers and researchers. In this context, this review addresses the role of different technologies applied to sheep and goat production in extensive systems. Examples related to precision livestock farming, omics, thermal stress, colostrum intake, passive immunity, and newborn survival are presented; biomarkers of metabolic diseases and parasite resistance breeding are discussed. Abstract Sheep and goat extensive production systems are very important in the context of global food security and the use of rangelands that have no alternative agricultural use. In such systems, there are enormous challenges to address. These include, for instance, classical production issues, such as nutrition or reproduction, as well as carbon-efficient systems within the climate-change context. An adequate response to these issues is determinant to economic and environmental sustainability. The answers to such problems need to combine efficiently not only the classical production aspects, but also the increasingly important health, welfare, and environmental aspects in an integrated fashion. The purpose of the study was to review the application of technological developments, in addition to remote-sensing in tandem with other state-of-the-art techniques that could be used within the framework of extensive production systems of sheep and goats and their impact on nutrition, production, and ultimately, the welfare of these species. In addition to precision livestock farming (PLF), these include other relevant technologies, namely omics and other areas of relevance in small-ruminant extensive production: heat stress, colostrum intake, passive immunity, newborn survival, biomarkers of metabolic disease diagnosis, and parasite resistance breeding. This work shows the substantial, dynamic nature of the scientific community to contribute to solutions that make extensive production systems of sheep and goats more sustainable, efficient, and aligned with current concerns with the environment and welfare.
Collapse
|
6
|
A Case Study Using Accelerometers to Identify Illness in Ewes Following Unintentional Exposure to Mold-Contaminated Feed. Animals (Basel) 2022; 12:ani12030266. [PMID: 35158590 PMCID: PMC8833334 DOI: 10.3390/ani12030266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/15/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Sensor technologies can identify modified animal activity indicating changes in health status. This study investigated sheep behavior before and after illness caused by mold-contaminated feed using tri-axial accelerometers. Ten ewes were fitted with HerdDogg biometric accelerometers. Five ewes were concurrently fitted with Axivity AX3 accelerometers. The flock was exposed to mold-contaminated feed following an unexpected ration change, and observed symptomatic ewes were treated with a veterinarian-directed protocol. Accelerometer data were evaluated 4 days before exposure (d −4 to −1); the day of ration change (d 0); and 4 days post exposure (d 1 to 4). Herddogg activity index correlated to the variability of minimum and standard deviation of motion intensity monitored by the Axivity accelerometer. Herddogg activity index was lower (p < 0.05) during the mornings (0800 to 1100 h) of days 2 to 4 and the evening of day 1 than days −4 to 0. Symptomatic ewes had lower activity levels in the morning and higher levels at night. After accounting for symptoms, activity levels during days 1 to 4 were lower (p < 0.05) than days −4 to 0 the morning after exposure. Results suggest real-time or near-real time accelerometers have potential to detect illness in ewes.
Collapse
|
7
|
Highlights of published papers in applied Animal Behaviour Science in 2021. Appl Anim Behav Sci 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.applanim.2021.105533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
|
8
|
Ikurior SJ, Marquetoux N, Leu ST, Corner-Thomas RA, Scott I, Pomroy WE. What Are Sheep Doing? Tri-Axial Accelerometer Sensor Data Identify the Diel Activity Pattern of Ewe Lambs on Pasture. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21206816. [PMID: 34696028 PMCID: PMC8540528 DOI: 10.3390/s21206816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Monitoring activity patterns of animals offers the opportunity to assess individual health and welfare in support of precision livestock farming. The purpose of this study was to use a triaxial accelerometer sensor to determine the diel activity of sheep on pasture. Six Perendale ewe lambs, each fitted with a neck collar mounting a triaxial accelerometer, were filmed during targeted periods of sheep activities: grazing, lying, walking, and standing. The corresponding acceleration data were fitted using a Random Forest algorithm to classify activity (=classifier). This classifier was then applied to accelerometer data from an additional 10 ewe lambs to determine their activity budgets. Each of these was fitted with a neck collar mounting an accelerometer as well as two additional accelerometers placed on a head halter and a body harness over the shoulders of the animal. These were monitored continuously for three days. A classification accuracy of 89.6% was achieved for the grazing, walking and resting activities (i.e., a new class combining lying and standing activity). Triaxial accelerometer data showed that sheep spent 64% (95% CI 55% to 74%) of daylight time grazing, with grazing at night reduced to 14% (95% CI 8% to 20%). Similar activity budgets were achieved from the halter mounted sensors, but not those on a body harness. These results are consistent with previous studies directly observing daily activity of pasture-based sheep and can be applied in a variety of contexts to investigate animal health and welfare metrics e.g., to better understand the impact that young sheep can suffer when carrying even modest burdens of parasitic nematodes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Seer J. Ikurior
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand; (R.A.C.-T.); (I.S.); (W.E.P.)
- College of Veterinary Medicine, University of Agriculture, Makurdi 970231, Nigeria
- Correspondence:
| | - Nelly Marquetoux
- EpiCentre, School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand;
| | - Stephan T. Leu
- School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences, University of Adelaide, Roseworthy 5371, Australia;
| | - Rene A. Corner-Thomas
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand; (R.A.C.-T.); (I.S.); (W.E.P.)
- School of Agriculture and Environment, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand
| | - Ian Scott
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand; (R.A.C.-T.); (I.S.); (W.E.P.)
| | - William E. Pomroy
- School of Veterinary Science, Massey University, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand; (R.A.C.-T.); (I.S.); (W.E.P.)
| |
Collapse
|