Assessing learning, behaviour, and stress level in goats while testing a virtual fencing training protocol DOI Creative Commons
Lena Marie Wilms, Dina Hamidi,

C H U Lüntzel

et al.

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

Unlocking potential, facing challenges: A review evaluating virtual fencing for sustainable cattle management DOI

Jana Musinska,

Sylvie Skalíčková, Pavel Nevrkla

et al.

Livestock Science, Journal Year: 2025, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 105693 - 105693

Published: March 1, 2025

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Evaluation of the technical performance of the Nofence virtual fencing system in Alberta, Canada DOI Creative Commons

Alexandra J. Harland,

Francisco Novais,

Obioha N. Durunna

et al.

Smart Agricultural Technology, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 10, P. 100713 - 100713

Published: Dec. 11, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

1
Supporting rotational grazing systems with virtual fencing: Paddock transitions, beef heifer performance, and stress response DOI Creative Commons
Natascha A. Grinnell, Dina Hamidi, Martin Komainda

et al.

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

Citations

1
A narrative review of factors affecting the welfare of dairy cows in larger Australasian pasture-based production systems DOI
Megan Verdon, DS Beggs

Animal Production Science, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 64(12)

Published: Aug. 12, 2024

On the basis of current growth trajectories, pasture-based dairies future are likely to be bigger, have higher stocking rates and feed more concentrate cows. This review uses five-domains framework consider risks welfare dairy cows in these larger intensified production systems. The factors considered this can broadly categorised as (1) emerging that managed, (2) require research or (3) persisting and/or exacerbated risks. First, large herds could subject associated with stock per labour unit, longer milking times distances walked from dairy. To counter this, time spend off pasture reduced by splitting herd into several manageable groups, animal-monitoring technologies help identify health challenges a stockperson animal ratio. Cow body condition productivity maintained at high improving feeding proportion concentrate. risk ruminal acidosis may then appropriate transition regimes rumen buffers. Second, ensuring social stability reducing competition become difficult sizes increase becomes intensive. resulting variability intake, increased agonistic behaviour stress present cow welfare. Research is needed better understand intensive herds, how design pre-milking area, pad (i.e. quantity timing allocation) improve accessibility for vulnerable animals. Finally, will continue face relating lameness, mastitis cull-cow management, whereas due environmental exposure removal shelterbelts facilitate irrigation. These continued efforts (e.g. ways incorporating shelter grazing systems), development pathway market aged beef) extension improved record keeping benchmarking lameness mastitis).

Language: Английский

Citations

0
The Use of Virtual Fencing Technology for Grazing Cattle and Sheep DOI

John Abizaid,

Dana L. M. Campbell

CABI eBooks, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: unknown, P. 505 - 514

Published: Nov. 30, 2024

Language: Английский

Citations

0
Assessing learning, behaviour, and stress level in goats while testing a virtual fencing training protocol DOI Creative Commons
Lena Marie Wilms, Dina Hamidi,

C H U Lüntzel

et al.

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

Citations

0