PSV-3 A systems design for sensor-based parturition and calf status detection in rangeland environments

Livestock production in rangeland environments is often fraught with numerous challenges that can limit regular human-animal interaction. As such, cattle in these environments can remain unmonitored for days or months at a time. The integration of on-animal sensing systems in these environments could provide a means for producers to remotely monitor their animals without incurring the significant labour costs associated with manually checking on their livestock. These devices could be used to monitor critical times in a cow’s life, such as calving. Parturition represents a high-risk period in both a cow and calf’s life, where the risk of disease or death is greatly increased. Additional monitoring in this period is beneficial, such that any complications can be promptly detected and managed. On-animal sensing systems could be used to identify when or if calving has successfully occurred and to infer the status of the calf in the first few months of life. For a precise and well-integrated system to be developed, there needs to be a greater understanding of the data required at each stage. This study will provide a conceptual overview and systems design outlining how an on-animal sensor system could be used to detect calving and calf status and provide updates to the producer in the event of complications. This research is funded by Central Queensland University, Meat and Livestock Australia, and Telstra.