A system that monitors livestock feeding behavior has been developed by U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists. The software and hardware incorporates standard radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology and a commercial reader to monitor animals' eating habits.
The system, designed by agricultural engineers Tami Brown-Brandl and Roger Eigenberg at the Agricultural Research Service Roman L. Hruska U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, Neb., is designed to work in an industry setting, and includes an ear tag applied to each animal, monitoring equipment and data recording and storage. Scientists are using the data to determine the normal day-to-day variation in feeding behavior - the amount of time each animal spends eating, the number of eating events per day and the timing of those events. By determining an animal's normal eating behavior, it might be easier to detect a sick animal when it starts spending less time at the feeder, according to the scientists. The animals can then be treated early to help prevent severe illness. Information gathered might also be used to improve management and establish genetic differences within a herd, according to the researchers.
The system was first used to monitor feedlot cattle and has been adapted to grow-finish swine. Individual animal feeding behavior can be measured without any outside influence, according to Brown-Brandl, who works in USMARC's Environmental Management Research Unit. Scientists plan to use the system in future studies to examine feeding behavior as it relates to age, gender, weight gain and the health of animals.
