Automatic and frequency-programmable systems for feeding TMR: state of the art and available technologies

La tecnica di razionamento TMR (Total Mixed Ration) per bovine da latte si \ue8 molto diffusa grazie ai vantaggi offerti. La meccanizzazione si basa su carri miscelatori azionati da operatore. Alcuni limiti sono associabili alla bassa frequenza di distribuzione (1-2 volte/giorno). La recente diffusione di sistemi automatici per la preparazioone e distribuzione di TMR consente di introdurre inedite possibilit\ue0 di gestione dell'alimentazione. Circa 15 costruttori operanti su diversi concetti progettuali sono stati individuati. Tra le principali innovazioni vi \ue8 la possibilit\ue0 di variare la frequenza di distribuzione, modulare la razione, controllare gli orari di distribuzione, stimolare l'attivit\ue0 delle bovine, gestire l'ingestione di sostanza secca. Il lavoro presenta una panoramica sullo stato dell'arte della tecnologia e propone una classificazione dei robot per TMR

Recording and analysis of locomotion in dairy cows with 3D accelerometers

An automated method for lameness detection can be an alternative for detection by regular observations. Accelerometers attached to a leg of the dairy cow can be used to record the locomotion of a dairy cow. In an experiment the 3D acceleration of the right hind leg during walking of three dairy cows was measured and analysed. Nodes with a 3D accelerometer in a wireless sensor network were applied to measure with a frequency of 50 Hz. After data filtering, the data analysis was in two steps: first step detection and secondly the determination of step parameters. Variance analysis was used for step detection. For each step the parameters step length and step time were calculated. The steps and step parameters can be used in future research for gait analysis of lame and non-lame cows. The aim of this paper is to describe the collection and analysis of data in this experiment and to assess the possibilities for gait analysis. It can be concluded that the application of accelerometers in a wireless sensor network gives promising results. Step detection is possible and step parameters can be derived

Technical aspects of pesticide application : a literature review

IMAG milieuonderzoe

Methods for measuring the behaviour of dairy cows in free stall barns

Behaviour is one of the most commonly used and sensitive indicators of animal welfare. Methods of assessing behavioural activity have changed in recent years, favouring techniques that automate monitoring and recording of animal behaviour, respect to use video recording system. The objectives of the current study were to determine the capability of electronic recording devices (HOBO Pendant G and IceTag) to measure behavioural activity of cows in comparison with video recording system. Automatic recording devices showed data of high sensitivity (Se 65 0.961) and specificity (Sp 65 0.951) for lying and standing behavioural patterns displaying predictive values close to 1.00 (PPV 65 0.966 and NPV 65 0.945). Instead, moving behavioural pattern was inadequately recorded by the IceTag device (PPV 64 0.303). Video recording systems provide a complete view of all behaviour and also of the position of the cows in the barn, but it is often time consuming and labour-intensive. Automated measurement of laterality may improve understanding the role of this aspect of lying as an indicator of cow comfort and might be useful for assessing the welfare of dairy cattle. Data loggers accurately measured all aspect of lying behaviour, while the locomotion behaviour (walking) is not well represented. The development of these data loggers may improve the information on activity of dairy cows reducing time and labour required for monitoring of behaviour