Training cattle for virtual fencing: Different approaches to determine learning success

Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 273, P. 106220 - 106220

Published: March 16, 2024

Virtual fencing (VF) offers promising future perspectives for grazing, as it simplifies through the use of GPS-coordinated VF-lines. Each animal is equipped with a VF-collar, which emits an acoustic signal when approaches The stops immediately turns around but if continues to move towards VF-line, electric pulse emitted. VF based on animal's ability learn associate pulse, and thus, avoid by reacting appropriately signal. intention this study was identify heifers are able VF-system during 12-day-period how successful learning can be evaluated using three different approaches: i) reaction score; ii) collar-stored data; iii) integrated mode change function. 16 Fleckvieh were enrolled in divided into two groups eight. They not familiar prior study. On first day VF-collars assigned adjacent pastures. behaviour four per group continuously observed observers behaviours scored according ethogram (2 h a.m., 2 p.m.). We analysed changes over phases indication learning, measuring (i) behavioural reactions signals pulses, (ii) signals, success ratio confidence ratio. development calculation our way weighing against proportion signals. Further, (iii) we assessed time took device shift from teach operating mode, internal function VF-collars. modes due animals' 20th correct response without receiving pulse. validated until successive rounds (Collar restart start round eight) found significant difference (p<0.0001) between faster occurring two. All suggested learning. From results, separated a) b) interact Therefore, combining necessary ensure sustained

Language: Английский

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Virtual Fencing Technology for Cattle Management in the Pasture Feeding System—A Review

Agriculture, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 13(1), P. 91 - 91

Published: Dec. 29, 2022

Maximizing annual pasture consumption without negatively impacting individual cow performance is of great importance in grass-based dairy and beef systems due to being the most cost-effective nutrient source. However, disadvantages conventional electric fencing include material labor costs increased manual labor. Virtual has been developed evaluated for almost two decades. The evolution precision livestock farming, specifically virtual fencing, presents new opportunities maximizing utilization available land. technology decreases involved physical provides greater adaptability changes conditions, increases efficiency, offers additional flexibility grazing management practices. that innovative should be further developed, improvements decreasing total system increasing its application other technological groups ruminants, e.g., suckler cows with calves, efficiency operation large areas a larger number animals. Recent advancements electronic communication device (i.e., collar) design hold potential significantly enhance effectiveness while also reducing costs. it necessary conduct evaluation determine their utility agricultural systems. This review paper aims present an concept pastures, compare currently this type, indicate where research development carried out using Internet Things (IoT)

Language: Английский

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Classification of behaviors of free-ranging cattle using accelerometry signatures collected by virtual fence collars

Frontiers in Animal Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4

Published: April 14, 2023

Precision farming technology, including GPS collars with biologging, has revolutionized remote livestock monitoring in extensive grazing systems. High resolution accelerometry can be used to infer the behavior of an animal. Previous behavioral classification studies using accelerometer data have focused on a few key behaviors and were mostly conducted controlled situations. Here, we observations 38 beef cows (Hereford, Limousine, Charolais, Simmental/NRF/Hereford mix) free-ranging rugged, forested areas, fitted commercially available virtual fence collar (Nofence) containing 10Hz tri-axial accelerometer. We random forest models calibrate from accelerometers both commonly documented (e.g., feeding, resting, walking) rarer scratching, head butting, self-grooming) behaviors. Our goal was assess pre-processing decisions different running mean intervals (smoothing window 1, 5, or 20 seconds), orientation feature selection (orientation-dependent versus orientation-independent features). identified 10 most common exhibited by cows. Models based only features did not perform better than orientation-dependent features, despite variation how attached (direction tightness). Using seconds resulted highest model performance (model accuracy: 0.998, precision: 0.991, recall: 0.989). also this add 11 (each&lt; 0.1% data; e.g. throwing head, self-grooming). These predicted less accuracy because they observed at all for some individuals, but overall remained high (accuracy, precision, recall &gt;98%). study suggests that Nofence are suitable identify cattle. The results could future research understanding cattle habitat rugged ranges, herd dynamics, responses stressors such as carnivores, well improve management welfare.

Language: Английский

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Stress indicators in dairy cows adapting to virtual fencing

Journal of Animal Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 102

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Virtual fencing (VF) enables livestock grazing without physical fences by conditioning animals to a virtual boundary delimited with an audio tone (AT) and electric pulse (EP). The present study followed the adaptation process of lactating dairy cows VF system changing boundaries investigated its impact on animal welfare. Twenty were divided into stratified groups (2× VF; 2× fencing, EF) five individuals. Each group grazed half-days in separate EF paddock comparable size during 3 d acclimation (P0), 21, 14, 7 experimental treatment (P1 P4). At start trial, all equipped IceQube pedometer (Peacock Technology Ltd, Stirling, UK) collar (Nofence AS, Batnfjordsøra, Norway). During P0, accustomed their first deactivated wearing sensors. In P1 P4, active for groups, second was set up parallel outer within paddock. Throughout sensors continuously tracked cow positions activity behavior at 15-min intervals. From onwards, collars additionally recorded each AT EP per georeferenced time stamp. P0 daily feed intake, body weight, milk yield barn. A total 26 samples collected determine cortisol levels. Behavioral observations conducted 2 h day 23 record agonistic behaviors, vocalizations, excretions. number stimuli ranged from 37 225 ATs (mean ± SD: 1.9 3.3 day) 11 EPs 0.1 0.7 throughout trial. maximum 8 individual occurred once D1. Mean EP/AT decreased 55% three change 0.2 week 1 0.03, 0.02, 0 weeks 4, 6, 8, respectively. Linear generalized mixed effects models revealed that cortisol, lying did not significantly differ between groups. higher behaviors observed when activated. However, due short observation periods only few contacts total. Overall, adapted evidence lasting adverse

Language: Английский

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The Effectiveness of Virtual Fencing of Bull Calves in a Holistic Grazing System

Animals, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(5), P. 917 - 917

Published: March 2, 2023

Large grazers are essential for nature conservation. In order to prevent from moving unintended areas, it may be necessary keep them inside enclosures. Physical fences present a number of problems, such as fragmenting the landscape. Virtual fencing, however, is possible replacement physical making enclose without boundaries. fencing systems utilise collars with GPS technology track animals and deliver auditory warnings electric impulses within predefined This study examines how effective virtual system Nofence© at enclosing calves in holistically managed setting. Holistic management rotational grazing technique where an enclosure grazed small strips time. It investigated whether become habituated fence there correlation between received by every two explore potential herd behaviour. Finally, this which interact most investigating relationship activity interactions. Seventeen were fitted collar company placed enclosure. Data gathered 4 July 30 September 2022. The found that was able contain designated enclosure, over time notably fewer electrical compared warnings. results Pearson's random inconclusive, but use sliding window analysis should further explored. Lastly, physically active ones who warnings, they did not receive more impulses. No significant animals.

Language: Английский

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What's in a Name? Standardizing Terminology for the Enhancement of Research, Extension, and Industry Applications of Virtual Fence Use on Grazing Livestock

Rangeland Ecology & Management, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 94, P. 199 - 206

Published: April 17, 2024

Virtual fence (VF) is the use of a global positioning system (GPS) to dictate where on landscape livestock can graze without relying traditional physical such as barbed wire. The recent acceleration in development and adoption VF technology for grazing management has been characterized by evolution divergent terminology. Different research commercial entities have adopted terms definitions independently. Some are inherently problematic, while others more aligned, simple fact that differences exist contributes confusion communication among scientists, producers, land managers, manufacturers, government agencies, public. In this paper, we propose standard terminology determined during 2-d in-service workshop at annual meeting Society Rangeland Management February 2023. Standard will aid efficient effective all interested parties.

Language: Английский

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The effectiveness of a virtual fencing technology to allocate pasture and herd cows to the milking shed

Journal of Dairy Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 107(8), P. 6161 - 6177

Published: April 19, 2024

Virtual fencing technology provides an opportunity to rethink the management of intensive grazing systems in general, yet most studies have used products developed and applied more extensive livestock systems. This research aimed assess application a virtual for pastoral dairy industry. The Halter system uses 2 primary cues (sound vibration) one aversive secondary cue (a low-energy electrical pulse) confine cows pasture allocation remotely herd cows. We studied groups 40 mid-lactation multiparous (Bos taurus, predominantly Friesian × Jersey, parity 1-8). Cows were milked twice per day provided 9 kg DM/d 24-h allocation, supplemented with 7 silage 6 grain DM/d. Training occurred over 10 d, after which managed further 28 d. type time delivered recorded by each collar communicated via base station cloud data storage. took less than start responding sound while held on moving milking parlor without human intervention d 4 training. On training 1, at least 60% resulted pulse. Across 10, 6.4% After 10-d period, 2.6% During 90% spent ≤1.7 min/d beyond fence, received ≤0.71 pulses/d paddock ≤1 pulse/d during herding parlor. By final week 50% 0 pulses/week 35% herding. number pulses pulse/sound ratio was lower this study that previously reported using other technologies. conclude is successful containing lactating as well animals

Language: Английский

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Harnessing virtual fencing for more effective and adaptive agri-environment schemes to conserve grassland biodiversity

Biological Conservation, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 297, P. 110736 - 110736

Published: Aug. 1, 2024

Virtual fencing (VF) is an emerging technology that creates virtual boundaries for livestock. Collars equipped with positioning systems, such as GPS, emit acoustic warning signals if animal approaches the fence and electric impulse it continues to move forward, deterring from crossing fence. Compared physical fences, combined enable precise tracking of individual animals out small areas within pastures at high spatio-temporal resolutions low cost. VF has potential enhance agri-environment schemes (AES) aimed conserving biodiversity in three ways. (1) Many existing grassland AES focus on limiting livestock density and/or regulating timing grazing. Monitoring compliance these contract conditions costly, which puts risk. GPS can help overcome issues by continuously monitoring grazing (2) Grazing even densities leads levels biodiversity. Applying exclude provides structural associated organismic diversity. could incentivise farmers (3) patches endangered plants or nests meadow birds may negatively affect small-scale populations species. Unmanned aerial vehicles automated picture analyses be used detect valuable patches, transmit information remunerate them out. The article will explore ideas a conceptual level discuss their benefits drawbacks.

Language: Английский

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Precision technologies to improve dairy grazing systems

JDS Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4(4), P. 318 - 323

Published: April 20, 2023

Pasture-based dairy herds continue to grow around the world as demand increases for sustainable farming practices. Grazing farmers may benefit from utilization of precision technologies because these have potential improve animal welfare, increase farm efficiency, and reduce costs. Precision provided novel information about activity, rumination, grazing behavior various breeds in pasture-based systems. Previous research with wearable has indicated that eating, no activity moderate high correlations (r = 0.65 0.88) visual observation; however, be difficult record herds. However, many are using monitors generally positive success. is a complex define cows walk an area stop eat or continuously take bites grass pasture. Wearable can detect whether cow reasonable accuracy. challenge determine pasture intake bite rate size vary grazed low residual height. Nevertheless, data collected was highly correlated 0.92 0.95) observations. should explored, especially technologies. As healthy productive pastures integral systems, accurate forage biomass measurements efficiency production pastured cows. few farms use technology availability. Therefore, monitor dry matter provide grazing-based farms. Current satellite normalized difference vegetation index electronic rising plate meters new fine-tune within pastures. In future, rely on virtual fencing, drones health issues availability, autonomous vehicles move cattle weeds

Language: Английский

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Grid grazing: A case study on the potential of combining virtual fencing and remote sensing for innovative grazing management on a grid base

Livestock Science, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 278, P. 105373 - 105373

Published: Nov. 11, 2023

Sustainable utilisation of the available grazing area acts to increase profitability and productivity livestock should consider animals grass sward. The labour-intensive time-consuming tasks fencing, animal monitoring, controlling forage availability on pasture are general obstacles wider implementation grazing. Virtual fencing (VF) opens up new opportunities by reducing labour increasing flexibility. In this study, we investigated validated potential monitoring via VF collars combined with Unmanned-Aerial-Vehicle (UAV) data monitor continuously. 32 Fleckvieh heifers were equipped (Nofence®, Batnfjordsøra, Norway) divided equally into four groups. Each group was assigned a 2-ha paddocks, each grazed for three days. For all heifers, GPS logged used evaluate walking distance, lying time, spatial pattern movement. Lying time measured confusion matrix using observational as reference. Our results suggest that relevant information basic behaviours can be extracted from collars. UAV campaigns carried out pre-and post-grazing paddock. 3D reconstructions, which allowed calculation digital orthomosaics surface models created imagery. On basis, Red-Green-Blue Vegetation Index (RGBVI), change RGBVI, determine herbage offer changes pre- height between surveys calculated analysed polygon grid (2.5 × 2.5 m²) per RGBVI detected ground truthing (R²=0.51). A random forest model analyse active (lying excluded) spent cell derived provided mean R² 0.43. addition, generalised linear mixed effect impact day cattle behaviour. decreased, distance increased, while distribution became more even pasture. These appeared reflect decrease post-grazing. We conclude behavioural UAV-based analyses in addition functions system have capacity sustainable, fine-scale decision-support grassland management base ('grid grazing').

Language: Английский

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