November 20, 2023

 

Australian university uses sensors to study cattle's consumption patterns

 

 

Simple on-animal sensors could be a game changer for Australian beef cattle nutrition, according to research conducted at University of Queensland (UQ).

 

Queensland Alliance for Agriculture and Food Innovation (QAAFI) master's student Tamara Freitas-Kirk is using wireless technology and motion detection cameras to monitor individual food intake within a trial herd.

 

"Current methods are only able to estimate feed intake of a herd, assuming all animals are consuming a predetermined amount," Freitas-Kirk said. "But there's no such a thing as uniform consumption – with one kilogramme of supplements for 10 animals, two animals could be eating 500 grams each while other animals may miss out."

 

To solve this problem, Freitas-Kirk used biometric wireless ear-tags and a camera to track the movement of 14 heifers in a 10ha paddock at UQ Gatton over 12 weeks.

 

"Previous research has shown that time at the feed trough correlates to intake," she said.

 

After tracking the animals and collating the data, Freitas-Kirk developed an equation based on the time each animal spent at the trough. The results showed more than 70% of the variation in individual intake can be explained by the ear-tags and the equation.

 

"While you will never get a precise measurement, it provides a much better estimate of the feed intake of individual animals than current methods," she said.

 

Freitas-Kirk anticipates the wireless ear-tags will become an important tool for cattle producers.

 

"With supplementing, cattle producers really want to use the minimum amount because of the cost involved, so if we can be more effective in this area, costs will decrease over time," she said. "It will be a big deal for the beef industry in the long run, ensuring it is more sustainable and resilient."

 

Freitas-Kirk added that the new method could also help producers grappling with one of the industry's biggest challenges – reducing methane emissions.

 

"We can ensure each animal is eating the correct amount of feed additives to have an effect on methane production," she explained.

 

The next step for the project is further proof of concept trials, with the results presented at industry conferences in tandem with QAAFI's Calf Alive project.

- UQ