A research team in Ireland has developed a groundbreaking technology for monitoring the activity and health of dairy cows, without the need for wires, chips, batteries, or any electronic devices. The innovative system, created by researchers at the VistaMilk SFI Research Centre in County Cork, Ireland, aims to revolutionize dairy farming.
Lead researcher Nadeem Rather, on an episode of The VistaMilk Podcast, described the system as an advanced application of antenna technology. According to Rather, antennas play a crucial role in transmitting and receiving radio waves, which form the foundation of the new monitoring system.
The system consists of a transmitter that emits radio waves and a receiver tag that captures and reflects the radio waves back to the reader. These signals are then processed by a data unit and artificial intelligence, and the results are uploaded to the cloud. Farmers can access this data using their mobile phones, providing a convenient method for remote monitoring.
The receiver tag material is pliable and inert, making it adaptable for use as ear tags, udder tags, or skin patches. Its flexibility allows it to function efficiently regardless of its shape. The system can be programmed to monitor various parameters such as body temperature, locomotion, hydration, and overall well-being of the animals.
The development team envisions the use of hand-held scanners, possibly integrated into mobile phones, for data collection. Alternatively, scanners could be positioned in high-traffic areas of the farm, such as the milking parlor or sort gates, to gather regular information about the cows.
With no batteries or electronic components, the system does not require recharging, and it avoids contributing to electronic waste. Additionally, the receiver tags are expected to be cost-effective compared to electronically-based monitoring systems. According to Rather, this system aligns with the principles of promoting animal welfare and ensuring dairy sustainability, which are fundamental to VistaMilk’s objectives.
Although initially designed for dairy farming, the researchers believe that this technology has potential applications in human health monitoring.
While the dairy monitoring system is currently in the prototype phase, Rather is confident that it will soon progress to commercial production. He anticipates that the technology will be available for on-farm use within the next five years.
For more information on technology, please visit the following articles:
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– 3 Technologies for Finding Your Most Profitable Cows
– Large Herds Share the Big Benefits of Switching to Robotic Milking
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