Sensor technology and data monitoring in dairy cows

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Sensors that can measure physiological, behavioral and production indicators in dairy cows (milk yield, temperature, animal’s activity, etc.) may assist farmers to improve animal health and welfare and identify diseased cows earlier.

Currently there are different sensors available on the market, such as sensor systems for mastitis detection (e.g. electrical conductivity), oestrus detection for dairy cows, oestrus detection for youngstock, and other sensor systems (e.g. weighing platform, rumination time sensor, temperature sensor, milk temperature sensor, etc.).

These technologies and their adoption provide benefit to farmers by frequently monitoring dairy cattle without disturbing natural behavioral expression. The implementation of these tools via e.g. computer-controlled programs can become valuable instruments for improving detection rates, gaining insights into the fertility level of the herd, improving profitability of the farm, and reducing labor.

For example, clinical mastitis can be predicted by changes in the electrical conductivity of foremilk, enabling early treatment and significantly limiting the severity of the disease. In many cases, it may also prevent the appearance of any visible signs of infection.

On the other hand, a monitoring system based on feeding time of the individual cow can identify changes in feeding activity. It is expected that the farmer’s inspection of dairy cows that change their average feeding time in combination with other monitoring systems, will lead to earlier detection of mastitis and oestrus. Early detection and veterinary treatment of mastitis and oestrus is expected to be beneficial for both cow welfare and farm profitability.

Control of footrot in sheep 

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Footrot caused by Dichelobacter nodosus is a harmful disease for sheep farming. It is imperative to monitor the flock and implement various control measures against the disease.

Firstly, it is necessary to know the risk factors (humid and temperate periods, muddy areas) and to quickly detect the presence of the disease in the flock. To do this, when lameness is observed, or during hoof trimming, the identity of the animal must be recorded and the severity and intensity of the lesions scored according to scale.

A foot-lameness control plan is mainly preventive by a rigorous evaluation of purchased animals, application of quarantine, and by avoiding contact with other herds.

Moderate lesions can be controlled by external and internal hygiene measures, footbathing, foot trimming and individual antibiotic therapy. The footbath must be carried out correctly (pre-washing, liquid level and concentration of disinfectants, time spent, drying).

If the disease is severe, vaccination and antibiotic therapy will be used, after identification of the strain(s) present in the flock. Finally, culling of worst-affected animals and those with recurring cases helps to progressively eradicate the disease. When the outbreak is very large, a repopulation of the herd should be considered.

Real-time health monitoring in pigs

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In order to improve sanitary control on a farm, the ideal would be, on the one hand, to prevent diseases (biosecurity and vaccination) and, on the other hand, to anticipate diseases. Work is currently underway on monitoring systems for early detection of diseases. By detecting them early, rapid, accurate and individualized treatment can be put in place, thus reducing the impact of the disease and reducing the consumption of antibiotics.

A monitoring system can obtain information from images and bisosensors every second and, through a computer system with predefined patterns, this information can be processed in real time to provide useful information to stockpersons.

This technology makes it possible to monitor the animal’s movement over several consecutive days through the use of accelerometers and artificial vision systems and establishes alerts when these reach relatively low levels.

After four to seven days of infection, an animal begins to make changes in its routines such as reducing movement or reducing playing and/or feeding time. With a real time monitoring system, pigs are monitored by video surveillance and movement patterns are established. When those patterns are altered, the computer system issues an alert of a possible case of animal with fever. The suspect animal is then individually tested to determine whether it does indeed have fever and needs to be treated with an antipyretic, or whether it does not have fever but moves to an individual surveillance system over the next few days.

Choose the right cows for mastitis treatment – do not treat without testing

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Traditions for treating mastitis in cows varies but statistics show that most of the antibiotics used in milk-producing herds are used in mastitis treatments.

Many mastitis treatments are without effect. By critically selecting cows for treatment, the efficacy of treatment improves, and antibiotic useage is lowered. Good udder health in the herd requires careful and efficient mastitis management. Classifying cases of mastitis according to severity makes it possible to select the correct cows for antibiotic treatment.

Grade all mastitis incidents by their severity and follow a simple decision tree for each case. The cases can be divided into three categories: mild, moderate and severe cases.

MILD CASES: Visible changes in milk. The udder is soft, the cow generally seems unaffected and has a normal appetite.

MODERATE CASES: Visible changes in milk. The udder is swollen but the cow generally seems unaffected. The appetite and milk yield might be slightly decreased.

SEVERE CASES: Visible changes in milk and a swollen gland. The cow is systemically affected and sick with fever, loss of appetite and severely reduced milk yield. The cow needs intensive care.

Confirm with the vet how to manage the different categories of mastitis, how to treat the individual case and how to follow up by using a simple decision tree.

Umbilical cord healing

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The umbilical cord serves as a conduit for the blood supply between the foetus and the placenta throughout pregnancy, providing the necessary nutrients for the development of the foetus during intrauterine life. The cord ruptures during the birth process, leaving an umbilical stump that becomes a potential route for pathogen entry into the newly born calf or lamb, increasing the risk of omphalitis and septicemia.

Umbilical infection also reduces total body weight gain during the first 3 months of life. Preventive measures for umbilical infection encompass maternity pen hygiene, decreased residency of the newborn in the maternity pen, adequate colostrum management, and antiseptic umbilical cord care.

Careful and consistent umbilical cord care substantially decreases calf/lamb mortality. Appropriate antimicrobial solutions applied to umbilical cord within 30 min of birth are protective against umbilical cord infections.

Iodine is the most commonly used antiseptic compound in the dairy industry. The antiseptic properties begin to decrease approximately in 15 min after dipping, but remain evident for several hours.

Umbilical cord care, as a good practice at farm level, is very effective to promote health and welfare to newborn lambs and calves, which are less likely to need antibiotics for any possible infections.

Create a complete strategy on your dairy farm with the OPTIcow management tool

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As a farmer, you are faced with making challenging decisions everyday. Having the most useful information at your fingertips is difficult because there are multiple different data programmes, software packages and tracking systems. ZLTO offers a solution: a unique, indispensable tool called OPTIcow.

OPTIcow compares business performance based on sustainability cycles, production, animal health and management to name a few examples. OPTIcow holds this data in an easy-to-use portal so that you can gain insight into your farm developments at the push of a button and can safely compare your performance with other businesses in the same sector. A ZLTO advisor will be happy to discuss the OPTIcow report with you.

With this tool you can discover your farm’s strengths and weaknesses and can make improvements where necessary. This is good for your cows, the sector and your wallet. Want to know more about OPTIcow or register your farm directly? Go to the website of OPTIcow.