Behaviours of dairy cows reflect their health and emotions. Behavioural analysis by video surveillance is an accepted technique for helping cow-keepers to spot their cows' health problems. To perform a behavioural analysis, the presence and location of the cows need to be detected first. In this study, we used feature point matching method and foreground detection method to detect them. Two experiments were conducted in a dairy farm to detect cows in video frames recorded by a video camera installed over the top of a free-stall barn. A total of 800 frames of recorded cows' activities were captured. True and false positive and negative results were statistically confirmed by t test. We found that the accuracies of the feature point matching and foreground detection methods were 38.55 and 75.95 %, respectively; hence, for our setup, the foreground detection was a better method.

A comparative study of feature point matching versus foreground detection for computer detection of dairy cows in video frames

A method for determining the duration of the process of preparation and distribution of feed mixtures by a mobile mixer on cattle farms, based on graph theory, is proposed. A generalized state graph of the mobile mixer is presented and its description is given. The final formula for calculating the probability of the mobile mixer being in the state of distribution of a feed mixture consisting of a different number of components is given. To check the method adequacy, time-lapse measurements were performed in production conditions. The projected durability of the mobile mixer was 92.3% (0.36 h) of the actual recorded time of 0.39 h. РЕЗЮМЕ Предложена методика определения продолжительности процесса приготовления и раздачи кормосмесей мобильным кормоцехом на фермах крупного рогатого скота, основанная на теории графов. Представлен обобщенный граф состояний мобильного кормоцеха, дано его описание. Приведена итоговая формула для вычисления вероятности нахождения мобильного кормоцеха в состоянии раздачи кормосмеси, состоящей из различного количества компонентов. Для проверки адекватности методики проведены хронометражные замеры в производственных условиях. Прогнозируемая продолжительность работы мобильного кормоцеха составила 92.3 % (0.36 ч) от фактически зафиксированного времени 0.39 ч. INTRODUCTION Preparation and distribution of feed mixtures is one of the most time-consuming processes on cattle farms. For its implementation, the technology based on mobile mixers is widely used. An alternative technology that is becoming more common is the use of automatic feeding systems. A significant number of studies are devoted to comparative estimation of the effectiveness of these technologies (Belle Z. et al, 2012; OberschätzlKopp R. et al, 2016; Pezzuolo A. et al, 2016). Automatic feeding systems allow you to achieve a number of advantages compared to the mobile mixers utilization (Da Borso F. et al, 2017; Kupreenko A.I. et al, 2019). One of the key advantages is the possibility of increasing the feeding frequency, which is evaluated in many studies on productivity and other indicators of animals (Crossley R.E. et al, 2018; Hart K.D. et al, 2014; Mattachini G. et al, 2019). Despite all the advantages, the main drawback of automatic feeding systems is the high cost of acquisition, which hinders their introduction into manufacturing (Grothmann A. et al, 2010; Tangorra F.M. and Calcante A., 2018). Therefore, the technology based on mobile mixers is still the main one. Correctly selected mobile mixer for specific production conditions ensures the efficiency of the process of preparation and distribution of feed mixtures. For this choice, it is necessary to determine the animals feeding time, which must meet the established zootechnical standards in the farm. As practice shows, this time is influenced by a number of factors: load capacity (the volume of the mobile mixer hopper), livestock population maintained, the feeding frequency, the number of components in the feed mixture, the travel distances, etc. 1 Kupreenko A.I., Assoc.Prof.Dr.Eng.Sc.; Isaev Kh.М., Assoc. Prof., Ph.D in Economics; Kuznetsov Yu.A., Prof. Dr. Eng.Sc.; Mikhailichenko S.М., Assistant; Kravchenko I.N., Prof., Dr. Eng.Sc.; Kalashnikova L.V., Prof. Dr. Philology Sc. Vol. 61, No. 2 / 2020 INMATEH – 194 MATERIALS AND METHODS When working, the mobile mixer spends time on cyclically repeated operations (cycle operating time) and operations related to its setting-up procedures, maintenance, employee rest, and others (off-cycle time). At the same time, due to possible technological violations and technical failures, the time spent on individual operations has probabilistic nature. The time of feed mixtures preparation and distribution on cattle farms, taking into account the probabilistic nature of the components of the operating time balance of the mobile mixer, is determined by the formula:  , к oc с к oc с к.мк T T k V p Nl T T T p p  + = + = [h] (1) where: Tc – cycle time of one feeding, [h]; Toc – off-cycle time of one feeding, [h]; N – number of animals maintained on the farm, [unit]; lк – length of one feed space, [km/unit]; kc – coefficient that takes into account the loss of cycle time associated with the management of the technological process of preparation and distribution of feed mixtures; pр – the probability of the mobile mixer being in the state of distribution of the feed mixture (corresponds to the state S52 in figure 1); Vp – movement rate of the mobile mixer during distribution, [km/h]; Tк – the time permitted for one feeding according to zootechnical requirements, [h]. To calculate the probability pр, that is part of the formula (1), a generalized graph of the mobile mixer states (figure 1) is developed. It permits to consider the preparation and distribution of feed mixtures by the mobile mixer at various number of components (parameter "x"). The transition from one state to another occurs under the action of random flows with intensities λi,j, indicated in the figure by arrows (for example, the transition from state S1 to state S2 is performed under the influence of a random flow with intensity λ1,2). Their value is inverse ratio to the time spent on the operation performance in the Si state. The probability of being in the Si state is equal to pi. Fig. 1 Generalized graph of the mobile mixer states (left) and graph for special case at x = 4 (right) х the number of components (types of feed) in the feed mix (to 25); S1 travel from the parking place to the storage facility with 1 component; S3... S(2х-1) travels of the mobile mixer between storages with components; S2, S4... S2х loading of the feed mixture components; S51 travel from storage with the last component to livestock facilities; S52 feed mixture distribution; S53 turning when traveling to another distribution line; S54 – technological breakdown; S55 technical failure Vol. 61, No. 2 / 2020 INMATEH – 195                      

Modeling of mobile tmr mixer operation

The article considers the analytical review of digital technologies (smart farming) in agro-industry. Such digital technologies include computer programs for calculating the farm animal diet, their advantages and disadvantages are given. The analysis and disadvantages of foreign robotic systems for feeding animals are presented. The results of correlation and regression analysis of the impact of the herd size of farm animals on labor input for their feeding are presented. The impact of the number of feed loading cycles in the hopper and its capacity on the uneven feed distribution by the “Free Stall Feeder” robotic feed distributor using the Mathcad 15 program is shown.

Digital technologies in food preparation and distribution

The introduction of precision dairy farming has led to increasing automation of core tasks in dairy farming. However, the impact of these technologies on animal welfare remains the subject of ongoing debate. A previous study using the Welfare Quality ® (WQ) Assessment protocol to examine the impact of dairy farm automation on cattle welfare found an effect on animals’ behavior. While the WQ protocol is widely used to evaluate dairy cattle welfare, it is often criticized for subjectivity. Thus, more objective indicators are demanded. Concurrently, hair cortisol concentration (HCC) has emerged as a promising objective indicator of long-term stress in animals, offering a potential indirect welfare indicator. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the relationship between farm automation levels and dairy cattle welfare, using HCC as a biomarker of animal stress. Furthermore, associations between HCC and WQ indicators are examined. Therefore, German farms ( n = 32) were categorized into three automation levels based on a newly developed classification system. On each farm, welfare assessment was performed using the WQ protocol, and hair samples were collected from 15 cows to determine HCCs. Median HCC values were compared across automation levels using the non-parametric Kruskal–Wallis test. Associations between HCC and WQ indicators were examined using multiple linear regression analysis. A trend of lower HCC levels with increasing automation was observed. Even so, the differences were not statistically significant, likely due to substantial variabilities in housing, management, and settings of automatic systems such as individual milking intervals or frequencies of feeding, bedding, and so forth. among farms. Significant correlations were found between median HCC per farm and the WQ protocol indicators “percentage of moderately lame cows,” “cows with at least one hairless patch and no lesion,” “tendency to be apathetic,” and “absence of injuries.” However, these indicators are not recommended as standalone measures of welfare. Nevertheless, consistent with the existing literature, our findings support lameness and integument alterations as key indicators of poor welfare in dairy cattle, which was also reflected in elevated HCC levels. As the number of highly automated farms is expected to increase in upcoming years, future studies with larger sample sizes are recommended. 

pdf/hair-cortisol-concentration-of-dairy-cattle-is-unrelated-to-27y8cdnygjsi.pdf

Hair cortisol concentration of dairy cattle is unrelated to automation level of dairy farms—however, it can reflect Welfare Quality® measures

Increased labour requirements in dairy farming, associated with expanding herds and a greater necessity for performance-related feeding, result in increased expansion of automatic feeding systems (AFS). Additionally, farmers seek to achieve uniform usage of automatic milking systems (AMS) by offering freshly mixed feed rations several times per day. The aim of the investigations reported here is to record the influence of six times per day feed delivery compared to twice daily, both via AFS, on the behaviour of automatically milked dairy cows. With 4.07 h/(cow × day) compared to 2.65 h/(cow × day), the cows with six times daily feeding were in total present at the feed table over a significantly longer time. When feed was offered twice daily, a larger proportion of animals were observed standing in the feed alley and not feeding. When feed was offered more often per day the milking frequency of the cows in the AMS increased significantly.

https://landtechnik-online.eu/landtechnik/article/download/2016-71-2-055-065/2016-71-2-055-065-de-pdf

Untersuchungen zum Verhalten von Milchkühen bei automatischer Fütterung in einem AMS-Betrieb

Automatic feeding system (AFS) - potential for optimisation in dairy farming.

The purpose of this study was to analyse the effect that feeding at more frequent intervals with automatic feeding systems (AFS) had on the feed intake, feed ingestion behaviour, ruminating activity, lying times and lying duration of dairy cows. The trials took place on the experimental farm at the Agroscope Research Station in Tanikon, Switzerland. Six different feeding frequencies used in conjunction with an automatic feeding system supplied by the Finnish Pellon Group were examined with a view to determining their influence on animal behaviour. The results showed that a high number of feed distributions had a significant influence on feed intake and no significant influence on either feeding and ruminating behaviour, or the lying behaviour of dairy cows.

/pdf/influence-of-different-feeding-frequencies-on-the-rumina-2g5c5j4gpm.pdf

Influence of Different Feeding Frequencies on the Rumina- tion and Lying Behaviour of Dairy Cows

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Automatic feeding system (AFS) - potential for optimisation in dairy farming.

Influence of Different Feeding Frequencies on the Rumina- tion and Lying Behaviour of Dairy Cows