BAE EXTENSION
ISSUE 5
WINTER 2018 BIOSYSTEMS AND AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
Cow Facial Recognition: Crowdsourcing a Solution with #ukcowmap By Josh Jackson, Ph.D. Assistant Extension Professor Livestock Systems
IN THIS ISSUE
COW FACIAL RECOGNITION: CROWDSOURCING A SOLUTION WITH #UKCOWMAP PERSONAL PROTECTIVE EQUIPMENT BECOME A CERTIFIED BACKYARD STREAM STEWARD
Here at UK, we are trying to develop and hone facial HAZARDS OF STORED GRAIN: POOR recognition software. This software is not for moniGRAIN CONDITION GREATLY toring people but, rather, for identifying cows as part INCREASES RISK of our drone-related research. Several engineers, including myself, are trying to figure out how well ROUND BALE HAY WASTAGE IN THE this can work. We are turning to you, the public, for a FIELDS crowdsourced solution. Crowdsourcing is a relatively new concept which is aided by the internet and social media. Crowdsourcing allows for many people to come together to find a solution to a problem. We are looking for help from anyone and everyone across the state and beyond, so please share this on your favorite social media platform tagging the photos with #ukcowmap. We need photographs of cow facial features or, in essence, the cow’s portrait (Figure 1, top of next page). Please submit photos to ukcowmap@gmail.com. We are currently looking at cattle on the UK beef farm and farms in the surrounding areas. In order to get some more diverse images of cattle from this region, we have been granted permission to take University of Kentucky Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering UNIVERSITY OF KENTUCKY BIOSYSTEMS AND AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING
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Above and below are examples of images I took of my bull and a muddy cow. Photos courtesy Josh Jackson. headshots of cattle that are being worked by Dr. Nick Werle at the Paris Stockyards. Criteria What is the criteria for the cow photos we need? We are looking for any and all cattle facial photos. We are trying to compile as extensive a database as possible. Therefore, we want pictures of bulls, heifers, calves, cows, steers of all ages. We are also looking for photos from all breeds: Angus, Charolais, Hereford, etc., and even a yak if you have one. It makes no difference to me if the cow is purple. We are expecting the identification of registered Angus/predominately Angus to be the most difficult to distinguish as they will lack the unique patterns that a Hereford could possess. Also, we are expecting a lack of contrast of features with the Angus to create further obstacles. Tips for Taking the Photos Having the cows in a chute or headgate is preferred but not essential. Having a consistent background like a chute makes it easier to remove unnecessary aspects and process. Use the best lighting possible. Try to avoid using the flash as most cattle will be apprehensive of sudden bursts of light. Do you need a high-resolution camera? No. If you really want to take pictures with a high-resolution camera, by all means, go ahead, but cell phone quality is just fine, as most are 12 MP. Pictures where any of the cow’s facial characteristics are blurry are not ideal. Don’t get close enough for
the cow to hit you or the camera/phone but do try to get the entire face in the photo. If you want to take several shots from different angles all around the face of the same animal that is perfectly acceptable as well (above). Cattle Portrait Poses Again, we will take all the photos that we can get. We don’t care if the cow is smiling, frowning, bellowing, ruminating, or pondering. Ears can be forward, back, to the side, or whirling all around. We need to characterize and train our program as much as possible. Our Challenges We have a lot of variables to account for, such as lighting, hair growth and loss, age, and other external factors. Lighting will be highly variable, as it can range from the bright, glaring light during the summer to dark and dreary days in winter. In the summer especially, cattle are expected to be more active during the morning and evening. The angle of the sun during this time is expected to create glare and shadowing that will influence our ability to identify cattle. Additionally, with the different seasons, we expect changing hair coat lengths to alter the ability to recognize animals. Our initial
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work has shown that flies covering the face could also impair identification. However, if flies are that bad, we hope this problem could be ameliorated with the use of different types of fly control. Some cows have been known to wear a dirt mask, as shown in Figure 3. We will have to figure out some special classification code for them. Additionally, external parasites and rubbed off patches of hair may cause an issue. For some of the animals on the UK farm and other operations, we will be able to track them as they age to determine if we can iteratively identify these animals throughout time. We won’t know what the problems and barriers are until we try. How are the Photographs Being Used? We are going to be using aspects and advances in machine learning to autonomously identify animals. Eighty percent of the cattle photos will be utilized for training and the remaining twenty percent will be used for validation. Most human-based facial recognition databases and programs would require anywhere from 10 to 10,000 photographs of subjects to properly train the algorithms. Potential Benefits
No, facial recognition is not our final frontier. Facial recognition is just one of the tools that we will utilize in our identification toolbox. We are also exploring the automated recognition of tag numbers. However, visual tag IDs have many problems as well. They can covered by dirt, the distance can be too far, the tag can be stuck up in the ear or behind the fly tag, or the tag can be missing (520% of cattle ear tags are lost), to name a few of the factors. We are also looking at different RFID systems or actively powered tags to help the UAV identify and locate cattle in the field. Thermal images can tell you a cow is there but not necessarily which cow, unless, of course, it’s the size of Knickers, the huge Australian steer that is all over the internet.
So I know what you’re thinking: How does this benefit me? The software developed could potentially be more applicable to you if it could actually recognize your cattle. For instance, I would like to envision a future where I could have my UAV go out and not only count but identify which animal is where. Assuming we can successfully identify animals in field, the next goal would be pinkeye detection and notification. That way, if there is an #ukcowmap issue or if I needed to go check a specific animal, the drone would have found this animal for me So, please send photographs of your cows to (prior to it getting dark, of course). Also, we are ukcowmap@gmail.com. Feel free to post them trying to think of the future, as this could save on your favorite social media sites tagged with many producers time and potentially money if #ukcowmap. And please ask all of your friends to disease events can be detected sooner. I want to do the same! make it easier to farm. As the adage goes, “We’ll never know until we try.” So, with your help and Josh Jackson, Ph.D., is an Assistant #ukcowmap, we’re trying. Extension Professor in Livestock Systems Engineering. Is Facial Recognition Our Final Frontier? University of Kentucky Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering
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Personal Protective Equipment
ed goggles or a full face mask is needed to protect your eyes. Do you work in bright sun for long periods of time? Sunglasses with UV protection are in order. Use a welder? You know what you need!
By Mark Purschwitz, Ph.D. Extension Professor Agricultural Safety and Health
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Winter is a great time to plan for next year, and part of your planning should include the personal protective equipment (PPE) you or your loved ones will need to stay safe. PPE can be used for some nice gifts as well. Here are a few things to consider. When thinking about PPE, you can make a list of the various locations around your farm or business that have hazards, or list the tasks you undertake that put you at risk. Another way is to simply consider each part of your body and how it might be injured while you work or play. Let’s do the latter, from head to toe. This is not necessarily a complete list, just something to get you thinking. Head Do you need protection from falling objects, like during construction? If so, a hardhat is a good idea. Do you ever work in the sun? If so, wearing a hat that shades your ears and neck is important, or using sunscreen if you don’t. Eyes and Face Do you ever use tools that impact, cut, grind, or otherwise remove material? Do you work around flying debris? If so, safety glasses or goggles are a must, or perhaps a full face shield. Photo courtesy of Do you use a chainsaw? If Gempler’s. so, a woodsman’s helmet might be a good idea. Do you mix or pour chemicals? If so, chemical splash-protected goggles are needed. Do you apply anhydrous ammonia, or work with chemicals that can damage your face? If so, special unvent-
Do you operate a tractor, riding mower, or other machine without a cab, or operate a cab machine with the windows open? If so, you need approved hearing protection, either ear plugs or ear muff styles. Do you work with or around other Photo courtesy of loud equipment, such as Gempler’s. various lawn and garden machines, grain dryers, fans, air compressors, etc.? If so, you need hearing protection. Do you work inside loud buildings, such as hog confinement buildings? If so, use hearing protection. Lungs Do you work around organic dusts, such as grain dust, or with moldy hay or silage? If so, you need an approved dust/mist respirator, the white two-strap fiber “mask” that has been tested and designated as a respirator. (This is not the cheap mask Photo courtesy of for nuisance dust that does Gempler’s. not carry a NIOSH approval number.) Do you work around chemicals, such as pesticides, with organic vapors? If so, you need a half-mask or full-face cartridge respirator that filters out the vapors. Do you work around highly toxic gases like hydrogen sulfide? If so, you need a supplied-air respirator that provides safe breathing air and does not rely on filtering. Arms and Hands Do you work with chemicals, like pesticides, that
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can damage or penetrate the skin? If so, you need the chemical gloves suited for the chemical you are using (e.g., as recommended by the chemical label) and are long enough to protect your arms depending on the task. Photo courtesy of Do you handle abrasive Gempler’s. materials or sharp pieces of material? If so, so you need gloves that can protect from abrasion or cuts, such as leather or other suitable material. Do you carry heavy objects? If so, be sure to have non-slip gloves, especially in hot, sweaty conditions. Chest and Torso Do you mix or pour chemicals that can splash on your body? If so, you need a chemical apron or perhaps a full pesticide-resistant suit. Do you work around dusty or pelleted chemicals like fertilizers? If so, you might need Tyvek-type coveralls. Do you work near or walk along roads? If so, a fluorescent Photo courtesy of high-visibility vest is a great Gempler’s. idea, with reflective stripes for dusk or dark that will ensure you are visible to motorists. Legs
Photo courtesy of Gempler’s.
Do you use a chainsaw? Consider chainsaw chaps to protect your legs from the damage that a chainsaw can do. Do you use string or hedge trimmers often? If so, chaps are available to offer leg protection.
Feet Do you move or carry heavy objects, or work
around cutting blades like rotary lawn mowers? If so, steel-toed boots, which now can be purchased in a variety of men’s and women’s shoe styles, are important for protection. Do you work with chemicals? If so, chemical protection is important. Do you climb ladders? Be sure to have footwear with non-slip soles.
Photo courtesy of Gempler’s.
First Aid Farming is a dangerous business, and when all else fails, you may need to render first aid. Do you have a fully stocked first-aid kit, with fresh (non-expired) materials? Do you have kits located where you might need them, such as in the shop, rather than having to run to the house and look through some Photo courtesy of boxes? Better to prepare now Gempler’s. than regret it later. There are as many different ways for your body to get hurt as there are parts of the body, so take time to think about how to protect it. Discuss it with your family. Again, this is not necessarily a comprehensive list, just a way to get you thinking and talking about the hazards you face on your farm or other workplace. Then, follow through by visiting your local farm supply store, safety supplier, or one of the many online catalogs that sell PPE. You’ll be glad you did. Please note that use of images from Gempler’s does not constitute an endorsement and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.
Mark Purschwitz, Ph.D., is an Extension Professor in Agricultural Safety and Health.
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Become a Certified Backyard Stream Steward By Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., M.P.P. Associate Extension Professor Bioenvironmental Engineering As the days shorten and the temperatures drop, many folks seek respite indoors. The winter months are a great time to expand your knowledge and learn new skillsets. This summer, Amanda Gumbert, Ph.D., and I launched a new program, Backyard Streams. Through this online program, you can become a Certified Backyard Stream Steward, all from the comfort of your home. The Backyard Streams program is designed to help homeowners with backyard streams appreciate this resource, protect personal property, and improve water quality and habitat. Through this program, participants will learn the answers to questions such as: Who owns it? How can I take care of it? What plants are good for my streambanks? Eleven Modules The Backyard Streams certification course is comprised of 11 modules covering the following topics: backyard stream basics, urban stream challenges, fluvial geomorphology, ecosystem services, streambank erosion, riparian vegetation, stream restoration, stormwater, low impact development, permitting, and karst. Individuals completing this course will have a better understanding of: • Fundamental stream processes related to channel formation • Stormwater impacts on stream ecosystems • Factors influencing streambank erosion
• Importance of riparian vegetation in maintaining channel stability • Methods to protect and restore streams • Permitting requirements associated with restoring stream ecosystems • Fundamentals of karst landscapes • Methods and resources available for conducting a basic watershed assessment
A small, restored stream on UK’s Spindletop Farm. Photo courtesy of Matt Barton, UK Agricultural Communications Service. Short Quizzes Each module is followed by a short quiz to gauge learner comprehension. A score of 70% or better on each quiz is required and multiple attempts are allowed. Since our launch in August of this year, 12 people have earned their certification. To learn more about the Backyard Stream Program, including accessing relevant publications, webinars, and videos, and to begin the Backyard Stream Steward certification process visit https:// www.uky.edu/bae/backyardstreams. If you have questions about your backyard stream, would like to attend a workshop, or would like to become a certified Backyard Stream Steward, contact Carmen Agouridis (carmen.agouridis@uky.edu) or Amanda Gumbert (amanda.gumbert@uky.edu) to learn more. Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., M.P.P., is an Associate Extension Professor in Bioenvironmental Engineering.
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Hazards of Stored Grain: Poor Grain Condition Greatly Increases Risk By Mark Purschwitz, Ph.D. Extension Professor Agricultural Safety and Health and By Sam McNeill, Ph.D., P.E. Extension Professor Food and Bioprocess Engineering Grain in poor condition is much more likely to crust, clump, and/or stick to bin walls. Such grain causes problems during the unloading process, frustrating workers and leading to actions that can result in disaster. For example, a crust on the surface of stored grain can bridge over while loose grain beneath it is unloaded, making it necessary to break up the crust. A clump of grain can block the outlet on the floor of a bin and must be broken up before unloading can proceed. Grain stuck to the walls must be knocked down in order to unload it. These are all very dangerous situations.
When inspecting stored grain always work in pairs. It is essential to maintain visual contact from the hatch and call for help if necessary. Prevention The best way to protect workers from these situations is to prevent them in the first place, and that means doing what is necessary to keep grain in proper condition and prevent it from spoiling. Proper moisture control is a must. Grain cleaning to remove fines or coring a bin after it is filled (unloading the center “core” where fines collect and redistributing that grain), improves drying efficiency and aeration costs. Refer to the sources of information below for proper grain storage and management. Zero Bin Entries
Fines and trash can accumulate in the center of a bin during filling and should be removed by coring the bin. Otherwise, air can bypass this area and result in heating, spoilage, and problems during unloading. Photos courtesy of Sam McNeill.
The goal is to have zero bin entries while grain is stored inside. The safest place for a grain handler is outside the storage structure. Remote monitoring of temperature and moisture, and even the grain level inside the bin, is much safer than entering. If a crust does form on the surface, breaking it up should be done from outside the hatch, with a pole (watch out for any nearby powerlines). Workers should never be inside a bin during unloading, such as to “walk the grain down.” Fatal Entrapments Can Happen Quickly When all else fails and bin entry is necessary,
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Above are scenes from a successful bin rescue. Photos courtesy of Sam McNeill. important safety procedures must be followed. Failure to do so puts the entrant at great risk. Not only are grain bins confined spaces, but fatal entrapments are well documented and can happen very quickly. For this reason, entry procedures require training. The Grain Handling Safety Coalition has excellent online training modules here: https:// grainsafety.org/training-2/course-descriptions/ Lastly, here are a few key points about bin entry: • Lock out all unloading equipment, as well as any other equipment inside the bin. Don’t just shut it off, lock it out. Follow proper lockout/ tagout procedures. Never enter a bin during unloading. • Wear a proper full-body harness and properly anchored lifeline before entering. Never enter without it. How to properly anchor and use a lifeline requires training. • Have a second person monitor the entrant by maintaining visual contact from the hatch. Not only can things go bad quickly, but an entrant in trouble cannot be heard by someone on the ground outside. The observer should have a cell phone or a third person on the ground who can quickly get help. • Never get below grain stuck to a wall. Always break it up from above. Not only can it avalanche down, but the weight of falling clumps can kill by force.
For more information: Grain Handling Safety Coalition: https://grainsafety.org/ Oklahoma State University Grain Bin Safety: http://sprec.okstate.edu/safety/ University of Illinois: https://extension.illinois.edu/ agsafety/equipment/grainbinsafety.cfm Midwest Plan Service MWPS-13 Grain Drying, Handling, and Storage Handbook (available for purchase): https://www-mwps.sws.iastate.edu/ catalog/grain-handling-storage/grain-drying-handling-and-storage-handbook Suffocation Hazards in Grain Bins (AEN-39): http:// www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/aen/aen39/ aen39.pdf Harvesting, Drying and Storing Grain Sorghum (AEN-17): http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ aen/aen17/aen17.pdf Sam McNeill, Ph.D., P.E., is an Extension Professor in Food and Bioprocess Engineering. Mark Purschwitz, Ph.D., is an Extension Professor in Agricultural Safety and Health.
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Round Bale Hay Wastage in the Fields By Morgan Hayes, Ph.D., P.E. Assistant Extension Professor Livestock Systems As we are currently in the feeding season, this seems like a prime opportunity for discussing hay wastage. Often when farmers ask about hay wastage they tend to focus on type of hay feeding structure (rings, panels, etc.) used. While the method of providing hay does influence wastage, I’d like to take a little bit broader look at hay management and its impacts on the wastage. I would contend there are four other factors which have strong influences on hay wastage. Hay Storage The first factor I want to address is hay storage. The first suggestion I would make for providing better storage conditions is to bring hay out of fields and onto a well-drained surface (gravel or concrete pad). The amount of loss of the bottom of the round bales of hay can be significant; even on a well-drained surface there is some degradation on the bottom of the bale. There is published data that suggests that net wrap and plastic twine bales maintain more biomass than sisal twine bales. If those bales are in a low area of the field or have wicked up significant amounts of water, the hay being retained because the twine does not degrade and the bottom of the bales do not fall off does increase the mass of the bale but due to its poor quality it will be wasted by the animals in most situations. Also, bales that best retain a round shape will result in less surface area being in contact with the ground which will also influence wastage due to surface contact. Storing hay in a barn not only protects the bottom of the bales but it also protects the whole outside of the bale. The outside four inches of a bale of hay typically contains more than 20% of the total mass in the bale. Even moderate weathering on the outside
To minimize waste, it is best to move hay from the field. Photo courtesy of Josh Jackson. of the bale will affect the quality, and while the weathered portion of the bale may be eaten by the animals, it is more likely to be wasted due to lower palatability and digestibility. Frequency of Hay Delivery to Field The second factor I want to address is the regularity with which hay is delivered to the field. The most extreme differences in wastage are shown when hay is not fed in rings. Studies have demonstrated that unrolled hay eaten in less than 12 hours is fairly effective, with wastage as low as 11%. Three-day or seven-day feeding patterns could result in wastage of over 40%. Data shows the same trend when feeding hay in rings. If hay is put out in rings for a week at a time there is more wastage than if a one day supply is provided. This may be due to the animals selectively picking through bales looking for the preferred forages early in the week. Also, it has been shown that the more hay available, the more time cattle spend at rings. Some of this wastage may also be due to boredom, as often there is more space available around bales when weekly supplies are put out at once. While feeding hay daily does have its challenges and can be a significant labor demand, studies do
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show that daily feeding will reduce hay wastage. Feeding Surface The third factor I want to address with regard to hay wastage is the local weather and the surface on which hay is being fed. Animals tend to tear up the ground around hay bales, creating significant amounts of mud. Hay that is pulled off the bale, falls on the ground, and lands in mud is unlikely to tempt an animal to eat it. If the ground is frozen and hay lands on a solid sur-face, animals are more likely to eat it. Certainly, when ground is frozen we can reduce wastage just because the hay is not being trampled into the soil or being coated with mud and manure. Strategies for reducing this wastage due to surface may include moving rings more often or even building heavy use areas on which to feed hay.
supplies are available. This hay quality issue also ties in closely with the regularity of feeding, when hay is fed every day or even twice a day, the quantity available at any one time is limited and the animal is more likely to choose to eat a less palatable portion of the bale. As a counter point, if a farmer has moderate to poor quality bales, he or she may choose a management style that allows more wastage to allow the ani-mals themselves to avoid mold in the bales or to choose the more palatable forages in the bale. This strategy can allow the animals to maintain their body condition. Ultimately, hay feeders can reduce wastage and certain designs are more effective than others. However, the factors described above (hay storage, feeding regime, feeding surface, and hay quality) can have even stronger influences on the amount of hay wasted compared to the hay feeder itself.
Hay Quality One final factor worth mentioning about hay wastage is the need to consider hay quality. Ulti-mately animals will select their preferred forage when on pasture in the summer; they will also be selective during the winter if adequate
Morgan Hayes, Ph.D., P.E., is an Assistant Extension Professor in Livestock Systems.
START PLANNING NOW TO VISIT US!
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR NOW FOR MARCH 8, 2019
The BAE Extension Newsletter is published quarterly by the University of Kentucky Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Department. Š2018 Editorial Committee
Director: Michael Montross, Ph.D., P.E. Editor, Designer: Karin Pekarchik Contributors: Carmen Agouridis, Ph.D., P.E., M.P.P., Matt Dixon, Morgan Hayes, Ph.D., P.E., Joshua Jackson, Ph.D., Mark Purschwitz, Ph.D., Sam McNeill, Ph.D., P.E.
Contact the editor: karin.pekarchik@uky.edu Educational programs of Kentucky Cooperative Extension serve all people regardless of economic or social status and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnic origin, national origin, creed, religion, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information, age, veteran status, or physical or mental disability. The University of Kentucky is an Equal Opportunity Organization. Mention or display of a trademark, proprietary product, or firm in text or figures does not constitute an endorsement and does not imply approval to the exclusion of other suitable products or firms.
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