Abstract
Preventive Health Management - How Can Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) Help? Gauly Matthias Animal Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitätsplatz 5 - piazza Università, 5I, 39100 Bozen-Bolzano, Italy, Phone: +39 0471 017115 Farm management has to assure a high level of animal welfare and to prevent and control at the same time disease. This has the highest priority in livestock production systems. Preventive health management includes the routine care and grooming, which allows the identification of problems early in the course of disease. The preventive health care includes all hygienic protocols as vaccination or parasite prevention. Nutrition (including the control of water quality and quantity) has beside housing and environmental factors the most important impact on health and productivity. To be able to continuously monitor the welfare and health status of individuals and on herd level the close observation of changes in behavior e.g. in appetite, thirst, urination, defecation, ambulation, and general behavior are needed. PLF can support farmers to collect detailed data on a farm from individual animals and a flock across. PLF is the application of principles and techniques of process engineering in order to monitor, model and manage extensive and intensive animal production. The PLF data consolidated is used to capture animal production, health status, monitoring social behavior and enhances the selection of superior performing animals with high genetic potential. A combination of agriculture, engineering and computer science are involved in implementing PLF. Various sensors to record the behavior and physiological parameters of animals (especially dairy cows) are already available. These sensors are building blocks in a complex system. These systems consist of sensors for measuring parameters, antennas or routers for data transmission, algorithms for data processing and end devices that make information available via software and help with action decisions. The following parameters are relevant for assessing animal health and can be recorded using sensors: 1. Body temperature. It can be measured at the base of the ear or using a bolus. The measured temperatures have different informative value because they correlate differently with the internal body temperature. 2. The blood pressure, pulse and heart rate. Among other things, measuring belts or pressure cuffs (e.g. on the tail) are used. The data are suitable, among other things, for assessing stress. However, their application has so far been greatly reduced to the area of research. 3. The respiratory rate. The measurement can be carried out using pressure sensors installed in the area of the lateral abdominal wall. Practical methods are not yet available. 4. The blood oxygen measurement. The values could provide important information about the 6 functionality of the respiratory system and the stress on the animals. Sensors in the area of the ear base can measure this via light pulses. However, several issues are still reducing a practical adaptation of the technique. 5. The movement activity. Changes in the frequency of movement give clear indications of physiological conditions (health, heat). Movements can be recorded using position and acceleration sensors placed on the head or feet. The technique is already widely used in various farming systems. 6. The rumination. Ruminating activities can be recorded using acceleration and position sensors. 7. The water intake can be measured using different techniques. Overall PLF systems aim to offer a real-time monitoring and management system that focuses on improving the welfare and health situation of animals e.g. by warning the farmer about arising problems. This paper presents examples of systems that have already been developed in order to demonstrate the potential benefits but also the current limitations of this technology.