scholarly journals Using Passive Infrared Detectors to Record Group Activity and Activity in Certain Focus Areas in Fattening Pigs

Animals ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (5) ◽  
pp. 792
Author(s):  
Naemi Von Jasmund ◽  
Anna Wellnitz ◽  
Manuel Stephan Krommweh ◽  
Wolfgang Büscher
Keyword(s):  
Infrared Detectors ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
Strong Correlations ◽  
Record Group ◽  
Point Analysis ◽  
Environment Parameters ◽  
Functional Areas ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Fattening Pigs ◽  
Passive Infrared

Animal behavior is an important aspect in the assessment of animal welfare. Passive infrared detectors (PID), detecting thermal changes to measure activity, have already been used to record data on the behavior of groups of animals. Within this study, the suitability of these detectors for the collection of activity profiles for focused areas is further investigated. The aim was to record the activity of a group of eleven fattening pigs in a pen, as well as the activity in the five functional areas for resting, feeding, drinking, exploration, and elimination. In order to evaluate the data obtained, the behavior was video recorded for visual assessment. In addition, relevant indoor environment parameters were recorded (ammonia, air temperature, and relative humidity). For the measurement of activity by PID, strong correlations from up to r = 0.87 (p < 0.01) could be found compared to visual assessment. The results indicate that activity changes during the day and activity in defined functional areas can be recorded using PIDs. These data combined with data of climate-related sensors could serve the farmer as a monitoring tool for early detection of behavioral changes or serve as partial aspect within a Weak Point Analysis within external on-farm consulting.

The pugometer: an evaluation of a new tool for assessing treading damage of pasture soils and comparisons with other methods

Soil Research ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 56 (6) ◽  
pp. 568
Author(s):  
J. A. Howes ◽  
J. A. Hanly ◽  
D. J. Horne ◽  
M. J. Hedley ◽  
M. Irwin
Keyword(s):  
Quantitative Measure ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
Nutrient Loss ◽  
Spatially Explicit ◽  
Strong Correlations ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Roller Chain ◽  
Visual Scoring ◽  
Soil Physical Quality ◽  
Small Plot

Treading damage inflicted by grazing animals degrades soil physical quality, increases sediment and nutrient loss to water, and reduces pasture yield. The extent or severity of treading damage can be assessed using several methods such as roller chain, depth of pug, and visual scoring. However, the ability of these methods to assess treading damage, and their relative merits, have not previously been compared. Four methods of measuring treading damage are compared in this study including the three methods mentioned and a new tool called the pugometer, which was developed to measure treading damage in a spatially explicit manner. These comparisons were conducted on three paddocks at Massey University’s Dairy 4 farm near Palmerston North, Manawatu, New Zealand which had sustained treading damage of varying levels during grazing in wet conditions. All four methods were able to identify varying degrees of treading damage competently with strong correlations between them (R2 = 0.72–0.87). Therefore, the selection of the most appropriate method to assess treading damage will depend on the circumstances. Visual scoring was the quickest and simplest method to use over a large area, and so could be employed easily by a farmer. The pugometer provides a quantitative measure of the spatial variability of treading damage and so would be a useful research tool. The depth of pug and roller chain methods are reliable but much more time consuming and therefore are only practicable as research tools for small plot studies. Following a treading event, the pugometer was able to monitor the recovery of surface roughness in a spatially explicit and rapid manner. Additional keywords: depth of pug, quantifying pugging, roller chain, visual assessment.

Detection of a novel haemoplasma species in fattening pigs with skin alterations, fever and anaemia

2020 ◽  
Vol 187 (2) ◽  
pp. 66-66 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Stadler ◽  
Julia Ade ◽  
Mathias Ritzmann ◽  
Katharina Hoelzle ◽  
Ludwig E Hoelzle
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analyses ◽  
Clinical Signs ◽  
Blood Parameters ◽  
Blood Samples ◽  
Management Procedures ◽  
Spleen Sample ◽  
Normocytic Normochromic Anaemia ◽  
Inflammatory Drugs ◽  
On Farm ◽  
Fattening Pigs

BackgroundIn a fattening farm in Southern Germany, skin alterations (urticaria, haemorrhagic diathesis) and high fever were observed in 30% of the pigs 2 weeks after arrival. Feed intake was severely compromised in affected pigs.MethodsAfter detailed clinical observation, blood samples from affected pigs were collected for haematological, PCR and serological investigations. In addition, pathological investigations were performed on one pig.Results and conclusionAnalysis of blood parameters revealed a normocytic, normochromic anaemia. A novel porcine haemoplasma species was detected in blood samples of affected pigs and spleen sample of the necropsied pig by PCR. Phylogenetic analyses based on the 16S rDNA showed 99% identity to a novel porcine haemoplasma (‘Candidatus (Ca.) M. haemosuis’) species which has recently been described in China. Interestingly, this is the first report of ‘Ca. M. haemosuis’ in pigs with clinical signs resembling those of Mycoplasma (M) suis and the first description of this novel haemoplasma species outside Asia. On-farm affected pigs were treated with oxytetracycline and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Clinical signs improved after implementation of treatment and optimisation of management procedures. This case might indicate that other porcine haemoplasma species than M suis can induce fever and skin alterations and may have an economic impact on affected farms.

scholarly journals A paddock survey of on-farm plantain use

2019 ◽  
pp. 125-130 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael B. Dodd ◽  
Ray A. Moss ◽  
Ina J.B. Pinxterhuis
Keyword(s):  
Dry Matter ◽  
Critical Level ◽  
Plantago Lanceolata ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
N Cycling ◽  
N Leaching ◽  
Visual Estimation ◽  
Successful Establishment ◽  
Direct Drilling ◽  
On Farm

The use of narrow-leaved plantain (Plantago lanceolata) in pasture sowing mixtures has recently increased following research demonstrating the value of the ‘Tonic’ cultivar in reducing cattle urinary N concentration, with likely benefits for reducing N leaching from pasture systems. The purpose of this study was to document the ways in which farmers are using plantain, investigate the factors that enhance successful establishment and persistence, and to test a method of visual estimation of plantain content in paddocks. This information will support verification of animal intake, given that there is evidence that a critical level of plantain is required in the diet to achieve significant effects on N cycling. In grass-based pastures, plantain content declined with age since sowing and few paddocks had more than 20% of their available dry matter as plantain after three years. A systematic visual assessment of plantain cover correlated well with a formal visual dry matter assessment and could be used to establish when plantain content at a paddock scale is  >20–30%. Plantain content tended to be highest when sown without grass, when established by direct drilling and on clay soils, but optimal sowing rates have yet to be determined.

Diffractive Optical Elements for Passive Infrared Detectors

2000 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Rossi ◽  
Th. Anuner ◽  
M.T. Gale ◽  
A. Maciossek ◽  
J. Söchtig ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Infrared Detectors ◽  
Diffractive Optical Elements ◽  
Optical Elements ◽  
Passive Infrared

Passive infrared detection (PID) of activity in groups of broiler chickens growing at different rates

2001 ◽  
Vol 2001 ◽  
pp. 173-173
Author(s):  
B.L. Nielsen ◽  
J.B. Kjaer ◽  
N.C. Friggens
Keyword(s):  
Infrared Detectors ◽  
Present Experiment ◽  
Broiler Chickens ◽  
Energy Content ◽  
Growth Period ◽  
Infrared Detection ◽  
Fast Growing ◽  
Diurnal Patterns ◽  
Time Courses ◽  
Passive Infrared

Activity of fast growing broiler chickens is known to decrease at two to three weeks of age, whereas slower growing hybrids are not only more active, but remain so throughout the growth period (Reiter and Bessei, 1998). The present experiment aimed to monitor diurnal patterns and time courses of activity in groups of commercial broilers fed one of two feed types differing in energy content. Activity was assessed using passive infrared detectors (PIDs), which sense movement of an object with a temperature different from that of the background.

scholarly journals A note on the assessment of down production in Australian ‘cashmere’ goats

1983 ◽  
Vol 36 (2) ◽  
pp. 317-320 ◽  
Author(s):  
R. C. Couchman ◽  
B. A. McGregor
Keyword(s):  
Moisture Content ◽  
Genetic Gain ◽  
Fibre Diameter ◽  
Visual Assessment ◽  
Screening Technique ◽  
Content Analyses ◽  
Cashmere Goats ◽  
Three Body ◽  
On Farm

ABSTRACTDown production of 93 feral, F1 and F2 cashmere-producing goats run in Victoria was investigated. The goats were visually assessed for down production and shorn. Their fleeces were evaluated for total fibre, down yield, fibre diameter, grease and moisture content. Analyses on down yield and fleece characteristics indicated that they compared favourably with those of traditional cashmere-producing countries. Mean down production ranged from 330 g for males to 148 g for females. Sampling at three body sites was accurate in determining total fleece measures and visual assessment proved a reliable screening technique for on-farm selection. Large variation was found in down production indicating the possibility of rapid genetic gain through selection.

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