Dairy News Australia June 2014 by Rural News Group

Dairy News AUSTRALIA june 2014

20 // animal health

Camera reveals cows in heat Infrared cameras

could hold the key to improving heat detection of dairy cows. FutureDairy postgraduate student Saranika Talukder, has studied the use of infrared (IR) cameras to detect changes in vulvar skin temperature, which can be related to

the period of heat or oestrus. This study was performed under the supervision of Dr Pietro Celi and Associate Professor Dr Kendra Kerrisk at the University of Sydney’s Camden dairy farm. “Heat detection is always a challenge. It is

time-consuming and the logistics can be tricky, especially with large herds or automatic milking systems,” Dr Kerrisk said. “Many herd managers would welcome an affordable and less subjective tool to assist in heat detection; and the IR camera has the potential

to be just that.” In a report submitted to the recent Australian Dairy Conference proceedings, Ms Talukder said infrared thermography (IRT) is a non-invasive technique that measures body surface temperature. “The period of heat or

Vulval image of a cow in heat (A) and a cow not in heat (B).

oestrus is associated with an increase in body temperature. The study was conducted to assess the potential of an infrared

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camera to detect cows in heat by monitoring the rise of body surface temperatures on the muzzle and vulva.” Twenty Holstein Friesian dairy cows were enrolled in the study. Cows were synchronized using a controlled internal drug release device (CIDR) and prostaglandin (PGF2). Thirty six hours after the PGF2 injection, cows were monitored at 4-hour intervals for any signs of heat until ovulation by visually observing them for changes in behaviour and colour changes of EstrotectTM. Ultrasound scanning was performed to detect the time of ovulation. While vulva and muzzle skin temperatures were monitored with an IRT camera, vaginal temperatures were also recorded with a digital thermometer. Out of the 20 cows in the study, 12 cows were recorded for ovulation and the IRT camera was able to identify 11 of the 12 cows (92%) in heat whereas only 8 of the 12 cows (67%) were observed or identified with an activated oestrotect. However, the IRT camera also identified five non-ovulated cows as positive for heat (i.e. false positive). “It is ultimately hoped that the IRT image capture might be automated if the accuracy of heat detection with the technology can be improved,” Ms Talukder wrote. “However, it is difficult to envisage automating the capture of vulva images particular as the hanging tail would need to be move sideways to ensure it doesn’t obstruct the camera view and it is expected that any manure on the vulva would limit the accuracy of the temperature measurement. “The head, the eye and the back of the ear are

likely to be less challenging for regular and automated data capture and it is reasonable to think that the technology could be incorporated into a feedbin for such an application. “Consequently, different body regions such as eyes and ears are currently being evaluated to determine whether they are more suitable.” The current price of the infrared camera is $21,000. “However, it is recognised that there is cheaper equipment available but that automating the equipment and the information reporting would add to the cost of the technology,” Ms Talukder wrote. “It will be important to conduct a cost/benefit analysis of the technology if it proves to have a sufficient level of accuracy to allow it to be automated and adopted on farm. “This technology would have even greater potential for adoption if it could also be used for the early detection of lameness and/or mastitis. In addition, IRT does not require any veterinary assistance to operate.” Ms Talukder said the results suggested the IRT has the potential to be a heat detection aid; but that the technology is not likely to be the silver bullet that will completely resolve the challenge of detecting cows in heat. Further studies investigating the potential to reduce the chance of overprediction by capturing data throughout entire 21 day reproductive cycles would be worthwhile, she said. This project was funded by the Dairy Research Foundation and four investors of the FutureDairy project; Dairy Australia, NSW Department of Primary Industries, University of Sydney and DeLaval.