Supporting rotational grazing systems with virtual fencing: Paddock transitions, beef heifer performance, and stress response

animal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(2), P. 101416 - 101416

Published: Dec. 28, 2024

Animal welfare is integral to sustainable livestock production, and pasture access for cattle known enhance welfare. Despite positive impacts, high labour requirements hinder the adoption of grazing practices such as rotational stocking management. Virtual fencing (VF) an innovative technology simplified, less laborious management remote animal monitoring, potentially facilitating expansion production. VF uses Global Navigation Satellite System technology, wireless communication, stimuli (auditory electrical) manage movements contain animals without physical barriers. Training associate auditory cue with subsequent aversive stimulus enables effective containment While previous studies have largely dispelled concerns about adverse effects on behaviour associated use collars, there limited knowledge regarding impacts physiology, particularly in systems. Addressing this gap, study investigated differences diet digestibility, performance, stress response beef heifers pastures using a compared electric fence. The was conducted over 8 weeks, subdivided into two cycles, 32 four groups. Each experimental paddocks. monitored interaction by analysing temporal development ratio electrical cues (success confidence ratio) emitted collars. Additionally, grassland herbage quality, BW gain, concentrations faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) were assessed, well time required cross new paddock. success ratios increased second cycle, reflecting enhanced adaptation time. Similarly, reduction taken paddocks groups indicated that learned interact rely directing movements. absence significant effect system FCMs suggested unrelated technology. Further, performance not affected similar gains under both This also attempts establish benchmark threshold successful responses cues, allowing comparative evaluation Overall, grazing, did adversely impact or fencing, opening avenues further exploration diverse conditions.

Language: Английский

Cattle Adaption to Virtual Fence with Relocation of Multiple Borders Over Several Weeks

Published: Jan. 1, 2024

Language: Английский

Assessing learning, behaviour, and stress level in goats while testing a virtual fencing training protocol

animal, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 19(2), P. 101413 - 101413

Published: Dec. 28, 2024

Virtual fencing (VF) is a modern technology using Global Positioning System-enabled collars which emit acoustic signals and, if the animal does not respond, electric pulses. Studies with cattle indicate successful learning and no distinct negative impact on animals' behaviours stress level. However, number of studies testing VF goats relatively small. In this study, we used to test training protocol recently applied heifers assess development goats' avoid pulse, their behaviour, faecal cortisol metabolites (FCMs) as an indicator for physiological in grazing experiment. Twenty adult 'Blobe' offspring were divided into two groups assigned or physical treatment cross-over design periods 12 days each. The involved virtual fence at one side paddock, gradually introduced over first 2 (additional posts visual support). On day eight, areas enlarged by shifting treatment. experiment lasted 4 h per day. During time, following recorded via instantaneous scan sampling all every min: grazing, lying, standing, standing vigilant, walking, running. Additionally, samples collected once, twice daily FCM concentrations measured. delivered pulses duration signals. each goat was calculate 'success ratio'. A significant increase success ratio general decrease signal association group Behavioural analyses revealed clear influence except vigilant. Virtually fenced stood significantly more vigilant than physically ones. free-moving kids could have had influence. effect concentrations, decreased time. summary, showed signs when avoiding receiving responding appropriately higher occurrence vigilance behaviour may suggest insecurity, but did increased stress. Future research needs confirm these results under practical conditions.

Language: Английский