The term “precision agriculture” is oftentimes associated with row crop farming, but what if gathering critical data to inform decision-making could be applied to your cow-calf operation or feedlot? Now it can, with what is called “precision livestock farming.”
Precision livestock farming is the same premise as precision agriculture, with emphasis on using individual animal-level data to make better decisions.
Animal agriculture's allied industry partners are committed to delivering technology that helps monitor and gather data in real time. The goal is to allow producers to more efficiently and accurately assess animal care needs, resulting in better outcomes for their cattle and a positive impact to their bottom line.
For example, feedlot monitoring technology can help detect potentially sick cattle earlier than visual observation alone by using an eartag that tracks temperature and overall activity. For herds using artificial insemination (A.I.) or embryo transfer (ET), there is a monitoring technology that can help identify when a cow or heifer is in heat, allowing for insemination or ET to occur at the best time to optimize conception rates and minimize calving intervals.
Monitoring systems work in three parts: monitor, understand and act.
- Animals are tracked and status is transmitted through eartag sensors that capture and record physiological and behavioral information to the software platform where the information is stored.
- A software platform analyzes the data and turns it into actionable insights related to animal status, including animals requiring attention.
- The platform’s insights can be leveraged to make group decisions for the herd or manage outliers. Many software platforms also integrate with third-party systems, so all herd data is accessible in one place.
Cow-calf monitoring
For producers using A.I. or ET, getting cows or heifers pregnant promptly is critical. A high pregnancy rate requires good heat detection. Visual heat detection not only takes time, but it also isn’t an exact science.
Heat detection technologies have been developed in recent years that can help detect estrus, determine ideal insemination windows and uncover reproductive issues, such as animals not having regular cycles or those suspected of aborting. Some of these systems also can monitor for well-being, alerting a producer to behavior that may suggest a health issue.
Activity and rumination are tracked in real time with an ear-mounted accelerometer. Eartags illuminate and flash, making it easier for caregivers to find animals flagged by the system.
Data is presented in simple, understandable dashboards that can be delivered to smartphones, tablets or desktop computers. Reports on individual animal estrus, health and group status are available, and custom reports can be created to meet each operation’s needs.
Backgrounder and feedlot monitoring
For those who manage and care for backgrounder, stocker or feedlot cattle, monitoring technology offers an innovative approach to detecting potentially sick animals earlier than visual observation alone.
Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is tough to manage. Biologically, cattle are predisposed to BRD; they have small lung capacity relative to their overall body size. The environment they are managed and raised in also can be conducive to BRD. When calves are weaned, put through a sale barn, transported and commingled, this causes stress and can adversely affect their immune system.
Cattle are predisposed to conceal disease. Their natural defense mechanism is to appear healthy and look alert, even when sick. By the time an animal is willing to convey clinical signs, it usually is several days into the disease process. Cattle are typically pulled and diagnosed through observation and rectal temperature, both of which can be flawed to various degrees.
The technology uses an electronic eartag that tracks temperature and overall activity to monitor each animal. Algorithms are applied to identify individual calves that vary from baseline norms. Caregivers receive a daily pull list, and an LED light illuminates the respective animal’s tag and flashes so pen riders can spot it.
After an animal is pulled, the caregiver or veterinarian then determines the cause – BRD, lameness or whatever the issue may be – and provides appropriate treatment.
In a study conducted in an Oklahoma feedyard, pen deads, chronically ill cattle and overall mortality decreased in a group of cattle being managed with monitoring technology when compared to those managed using conventional pen riding.
Is monitoring right for your operation?
It is important to carefully study the system to understand if it will be a good fit for your operation. For example, you’ll want to understand the hardware requirements and where it should be placed for optimal results, the importance of internet strength and reliability, as well as the system’s read range.
Tag placement is important for all monitoring technologies. You’ll want to know the expected life of the tag and if any warranty is provided.
For all operations, upfront and ongoing training is critical to building confidence and buy-in and to reinforce the capabilities of the system. This may be the most important parameter that influences a successful user experience.
It also is good to know if the company offers dedicated customer service reps to help guide installation and setup and to troubleshoot any challenges that may arise.
In summary, new technology is benefiting cattle producers. It allows producers to make more informed decisions and can help remove some of the guesswork. Learning will continue as these systems are adopted and more research is conducted.
