Technical note: Evaluation of a system for monitoring individual feeding behavior and activity in beef cattle

Incorporating body measurement traits to increase genetic gain of feed efficiency and carcass traits in Japanese Black steers

The objective of the present study was to comprehensively evaluate whether body measurement traits, including body weight and body size, could be used as indicators of genetic selection for feed efficiency and carcass traits in Japanese Black steers. First, we estimated the genetic parameters for body measurements, feed efficiency, and carcass traits. Second, we estimated the correlated responses in feed efficiency and carcass traits when selection was applied to one or multiple-body measurement traits. In total, 4,578 Japanese Black steers with phenotypic values of residual feed intake (RFI) and residual body weight gain (RG) as feed efficiency traits and carcass weight (CWT) and beef marbling standard (BMS) as carcass traits were used. Eleven body measurement traits were measured at the start and finish of the fattening periods (BMT1 and BMT2, respectively), and their growth during the fattening period (BMT3) was used for genetic analyses. The results of genetic parameters showed that the heritability estimates were low to moderate (0.10 to 0.66), and the genetic correlations among body measurement traits were also estimated to be positively moderate to high in each measuring point (0.23 to 0.99). The genetic correlations of body measurement traits with RFI and BMS were estimated to be low (-0.14 to 0.30 and -0.17 to 0.35, respectively), but those with CWT were positively low to high (0.12 to 0.97). The genetic correlation estimates between BMT3 and RG were moderate to high (0.38 to 0.78). Second, correlated responses were estimated under positive selection for body measurement traits. Positive selection for BMT2 and BMT3 increased CWT and RG; however, positive selection for body measurement traits resulted in no change in RFI and BMS. Favorable directions of genetic gains, which were positive for RG, CWT, and BMS and negative for RFI, were obtained by selection indices, including multiple traits in BMT1. Our results suggest that using only one-body measurement trait as an indicator of genetic selection for RFI is difficult. However, body measurement traits can be indirect indicators of improved RG. Our results also suggest that genetic improvement of both RFI and RG without reducing CWT and BMS could be achieved using selection indices that account for a balance of body conformation using multiple-body measurement traits in Japanese Black cattle.

Wearable Wireless Biosensor Technology for Monitoring Cattle: A Review

The review aimed to collect information about the wearable wireless sensor system (WWSS) for cattle and to conduct a systematic literature review on the accuracy of predicting the physiological parameters of these systems. The WWSS was categorized as an ear tag, halter, neck collar, rumen bolus, leg tag, tail-mounted, and vaginal mounted types. Information was collected from a web-based search on Google, then manually curated. We found about 60 WWSSs available in the market; most sensors included an accelerometer. The literature evaluating the WWSS performance was collected through a keyword search in Scopus. Among the 1875 articles identified, 46 documents that met our criteria were selected for further meta-analysis. Meta-analysis was conducted on the performance values (e.g., correlation, sensitivity, and specificity) for physiological parameters (e.g., feeding, activity, and rumen conditions). The WWSS showed high performance in most parameters, although some parameters (e.g., drinking time) need to be improved, and considerable heterogeneity of performance levels was observed under various conditions (average I² = 76%). Nevertheless, some of the literature provided insufficient information on evaluation criteria, including experimental conditions and gold standards, to confirm the reliability of the reported performance. Therefore, guidelines for the evaluation criteria for studies evaluating WWSS performance should be drawn up.

The Influence of Environmental Conditions on Intake Behavior and Activity by Feedlot Steers Fed Corn or Barley-Based Diets

Simple Summary

Cattle wintered at northern latitudes are often exposed to periods of severe cold. Cattle likely alter feed intake and behavior to combat environmental challenges. This study evaluated the influence of diet and environmental changes on intake behavior and activity (lying time) of feedlot steers. Short-term temperature changes impacted both beef feedlot cattle intake behavior and activity. The steers’ diet, whether they were fed corn or barley, interacted with short term environmental changes to influence animal feeding behavior, but diet had limited impact on cattle lying behavior. Lying behavior was influenced by short-term temperature changes in which cattle spent more time lying down on relatively cold days. Overall, environmental shifts and cold temperature conditions could result in greater energetic needs and ultimately impact feedlot steer intake behavior and activity. By providing information related to beef cattle feedlot behavior, we can more effectively manage cattle feeding systems at northern latitudes to improve feed efficiency.

Abstract

This study evaluated the influence of diet and environmental conditions on intake behavior and activity of feedlot steers. Feedlot rations used were comprised of a main concentrate: (1) corn or (2) barley. A GrowSafe system measured individual animal intake and behavior and HOBO accelerometers measured steer standing time. An Onset weather station collected on site weather data. Steer daily intake displayed a diet by temperature class interaction (p ≤ 0.05). Relative temperature change had no effect on variation in intake (p = 0.60); however, diet influenced variation of intake (p < 0.01), where corn-fed steers had a greater coefficient of variation (CV) than barley-fed steers (21.89 ± 1.46 vs. 18.72 ± 1.46%). Time spent eating (min d⁻¹) and eating rate (g min⁻¹) both displayed a diet by temperature class interaction (p ≤ 0.05). Diet did not affect steer lying activity (p ≥ 0.12), however, time spent lying (min d⁻¹) and frequency of lying bouts (bouts d⁻¹) increased on relatively cold days while the duration of lying bouts (min bout⁻¹; p < 0.01) decreased. Short-term environmental temperature changes interacted with diet influencing feedlot beef cattle intake behavior; however, they did not interact with basal diet in respect to steer activity.

Evaluation of the FitBark Activity Monitor for Measuring Physical Activity in Dogs

Accelerometers track changes in physical activity which can indicate health and welfare concerns in dogs. The FitBark 2 (FitBark) is an accelerometer for use with dogs; however, no studies have externally validated this tool. The objective of this study was to evaluate FitBark criterion validity by correlating FitBark activity data to dog step count. Dogs (n = 26) were fitted with a collar-mounted FitBark and individually recorded for 30 min using a three-phase approach: (1) off-leash room explore; (2) human-dog interaction; and (3) on-leash walk. Video analysis was used to count the number of times the front right paw touched the ground (step count). Dog step count and FitBark activity were moderately correlated across all phases (r = 0.65, p < 0.001). High correlations between step count and FitBark activity were observed during phases 1 (r = 0.795, p < 0.001) and 2 (r = 0.758, p < 0.001), and a low correlation was observed during phase 3 (r = 0.498, p < 0.001). In conclusion, the FitBark is a valid tool for tracking physical activity in off-leash dogs; however, more work should be done to identify the best method of tracking on-leash activity.

Prepartum behavior changes in dry Holstein cows at risk of postpartum diseases

The objective of this study was to identify changes in prepartum behavior associated with the incidence of postpartum diseases in dairy cows. Multiparous Holstein cows (n = 489) were monitored with accelerometers for 3 wk prepartum. Accelerometers measured steps, time at the feed bunk, frequency of meals, lying bouts, and lying time. Postpartum health was monitored from 0 to 30 d in milk and cases of metritis, mastitis, retained placenta, displaced abomasum (DA), ketosis, and hypocalcemia were recorded. A multivariate linear mixed model was used to assess differences in behavior between diseased and not diagnosed diseased cows. A multivariate logistic regression was used to predict the occurrence of diseases. Predictors were selected using a manual backward stepwise selection process of variables until all remaining predictors had a P < 0.10. Models were submitted to a leave-one-out cross-validation process, and sensitivity, specificity, false discovery rate, and false omission rate were calculated. On average, over the 3-wk prepartum period, cows not diagnosed diseased (n = 345) took 1,613 ± 38 steps, spent 181 ± 7.1 min at the feed bunk, had 8.3 ± 0.17 meals, had 9.8 ± 0.32 lying bouts, and spent 742 ± 11.3 min lying per day. Behavior of diseased cows (n = 144) did not differ from those not diagnosed diseased. However, differences for specific diseases were observed, being significant in the week prepartum. When considering changes in behavior for only the week before calving, cows with metritis had more lying bouts (+21%), cows with DA had fewer meals (-24%) and tended to take fewer steps (-18%), and cows with ketosis had fewer meals (-22%) and spent less time at the feed bunk (-40%). Prediction models with the best outcomes were found for DA and ketosis using data of the prepartum week only. The model for DA included time at the feed bunk. Cross-validation resulted in a 80% sensitivity, 58.1% specificity, 59.2% accuracy, 91.2% false discovery rate, and 1.7% false omission rate. The model for ketosis included time at the feed bunk and number of meals. Cross-validation resulted in 64.3% sensitivity, 59.3% specificity, 59.5% accuracy, 93.0% false discovery rate, and 2.8% false omission rate. Prepartum behavior of cows affected with metritis, DA, and ketosis was different from that of cows not diagnosed with diseases. Prediction equations were able to classify cows at high or low risk of ketosis and DA and can be used in taking management decisions, but the high false discovery rates requires further refinement.

Symposium review: Precision technologies for dairy calves and management applications

There is an increasing interest in using precision dairy technologies (PDT) to monitor real-time animal behavior and physiology in livestock systems around the world. Although PDT in adult cattle is extensively reviewed, PDT use for the management of preweaned dairy calves has not been reviewed. We systematically reviewed research on the use and application of precision technologies in calves. Accelerometers have the potential to be used to monitor lying behavior, step activity, and rumination, which are useful to detect changes in behavior that may be indicative of disease, responses to painful procedures, or positive welfare behaviors such as play. Automated calf feeding systems can control delivery of nutritional plans to individualize feeding and weaning of calves; changes in feeding behaviors (such as milk intake, drinking speed, and unrewarded visits) may also be used to identify early onset of disease. The PDT devices also measure physiological and physical attributes in dairy calves. For instance, temperature monitoring devices such as infrared thermography, ruminal boluses, and implanted microchips have been assessed in calves, but no herd management-based commercial system is available. Many other PDT are in development with potential to be used in dairy calf management, such as image and acoustic-based monitoring, real-time location, and use of enrichment items for monitoring positive emotional states. We conclude that PDT have great potential for application in dairy calf management, enabling precise behavioral and physiological monitoring, targeted feeding programs, and identification of calves with poor health or behavioral impairments. We strongly encourage further development and validation of commercially available technologies for on-farm application of the monitoring of dairy calf welfare, performance, and health.

The Use of an Activity Monitoring System for the Early Detection of Health Disorders in Young Bulls

Simple Summary

In large intensive beef production systems, the identification of sick animals is difficult. We hypothesized that sick bulls would change daily activities when sick. Thus, the use of activity monitoring devices might allow for the early identification of sick bulls. The device used measured steps counts, lying time, lying bouts, and frequency and time at the feed bunk. Sick bulls started to behave differently from healthy bulls at least 10 days before the appearance of clinical signs. The prediction model identified bulls at risk of becoming sick 9 days before the visual diagnostic based on the time attending to the feed bunk, the time lying, and the frequency of lying bouts. The validation indicated that the prediction resulted in 50% false positives and 7% false negatives. Activity monitoring systems may be useful tools to identify bulls at risk of becoming sick.

Abstract

Bulls (n = 770, average age = 127 days, SD = 53 days of age) were fitted with an activity monitoring device for three months to study if behavior could be used for early detection of diseases. The device measured the number of steps, lying time, lying bouts, and frequency and time of attendance at the feed bunk. All healthy bulls (n = 699) throughout the trial were used to describe the normal behavior. A match-pair test was used to assign healthy bulls for the comparison vs. sick bulls. The model was developed with 70% of the data, and the remaining 30% was used for the validation. Healthy bulls did 2422 ± 128 steps/day, had 28 ± 1 lying bouts/day, spent 889 ± 12 min/day lying, and attended the feed bunk 8 ± 0.2 times/d for a total of 95 ± 8 min/day. From the total of bulls enrolled in the study, 71 (9.2%) were diagnosed sick. Their activities changed at least 10 days before the clinical signs of disease. Bulls at risk of becoming sick were predicted 9 days before clinical signs with a sensitivity and specificity of 79% and 81%, respectively. The validation of the model resulted in a sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of 92%, 42%, and 82 %, respectively, and a 50% false positive and 12.5% false negative rates. Results suggest that activity-monitoring systems may be useful in the early identification of sick bulls. However, the high false positive rate may require further refinement.

Application of accelerometers to record drinking behaviour of beef cattle

Accelerometers have been used to record many cattle postures and behaviours including standing, lying, walking, grazing and ruminating but not cattle drinking behaviour. This study explores whether neck-mounted triaxial accelerometers can identify drinking and whether head-neck position and activity can be used to record drinking. Over three consecutive days, data were collected from 12 yearling Brahman cattle each fitted with a collar containing an accelerometer. Each day the cattle were herded into a small yard containing a water trough and allowed 5 min to drink. Drinking, standing (head up), walking and standing (head down) were recorded. Examination of the accelerometer data showed that drinking events were characterised by a unique signature compared with the other behaviours. A linear mixed-effects model identified two variables that reflected differences in head-neck position and activity between drinking and the other behaviours: mean of the z- (front-to-back) axis and variance of the x- (vertical) axis (P &lt; 0.05). Threshold values, derived from Kernel density plots, were applied to classify drinking from the other behaviours using these two variables. The method accurately classified drinking from standing (head up) with 100% accuracy, from walking with 92% accuracy and from standing (head down) with 79% accuracy. The study shows that accelerometers have the potential to record cattle drinking behaviour. Further development of a classification method for drinking is required to allow accelerometer-derived data to be used to improve our understanding of cattle drinking behaviour and ensure that their water intake needs are met.