Cow estrus detection by measuring the tympanic temperature and the physical activity

• Research unit: INNOSUISSE
• Project number: 10211.2;4 PFES-ES

Short description (German)

Cow estrus detection by measuring the tympanic temperature and the physical activity

Short description (English)

Cow estrus detection by measuring the tympanic temperature and the physical activity

Abstract (German)

Estrus detection is a crucial problem for dairy cow breeders. Heats detected too late lead to unsuccessful insemination and, consequently, to losses of several hundreds of Swiss francs per animal and per year. The project aims to develop a small electronic device, embedded on cows susceptible to be in heat. This device detects the beginning of the heat and directly notifies the farmer by means of an SMS. To obtain a high detection level, the device combines two parameters that specifically change during the estrus: the body temperature and the physical activity of the animal.

Abstract (English)

Estrus detection is a crucial problem for dairy cow breeders. Heats detected too late lead to unsuccessful insemination and, consequently, to losses of several hundreds of Swiss francs per animal and per year. The project aims to develop a small electronic device, embedded on cows susceptible to be in heat. This device detects the beginning of the heat and directly notifies the farmer by means of an SMS. To obtain a high detection level, the device combines two parameters that specifically change during the estrus: the body temperature and the physical activity of the animal.