Forschungsprojekte der Wiederkäuerklinik der

Forschungsprojekte der Wiederkäuerklinik der

Forschungsprojekte der Wiederkäuerklinik der Vetsuisse-Fakultät, Universität Bern
Forschungsprojekte an der Wiederkäuerklinik der Vetsuisse-Fakultät Bern
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Bestandesmedizin / Gynäkologie & Geburtshilfe
Prediction of parturition with the aid of an automated health
monitoring system (RumiWatch) in ruminants
The aim of this project is to describe ante partum patterns of walking,
drinking and feeding in Holstein dairy cows by using a new health
monitoring system (RumiWatch; Itin+Hoch GmbH, Liestal, Switzerland).
The sensor-based system consists of a three-dimensional
accelerometer, working as a pedometer, which automatically analyzes
various motions, amongst others the lying bouts, walking times and
motions like getting up or lying down. RumiWatch also includes a
noseband sensor which shows the time of food and drink intake as well
as rumination periods. By visualizing the walking and eating behavior of
the cows being close to parturition, we aim at predicting the phases of
parturition. As a long-term objective, farm staff will have the possibility
to notice in real time via on-line monitoring of the data, when a cow is
about to give birth and can thereby assist early enough to avoid
potential dystocia and reduce calf mortality. The research will take place
on a farm in Niederpöllnitz, Thuringia, Germany, which houses around
1000 milking cows in free-stall barns. Pregnant cows are being moved to
separate calving barns three days ante partum. For this project,
approximately 150-200 cows will wear the RumiWatch system over a
period of 14 days during the late transition phase until 2-3 days after
parturition. Afterwards, the data will be checked, analyzed and typical
patterns around birth described. We will then compare the data to
video camera recordings of the parturitions and try to link patterns in
the behavior ante partum for the prediction of the different phases of
parturition. Once these patterns are standardized, further research
could identify aberrances in the behavior for prediction of dystocia or
potential metabolic disorders such as hypocalcemia.
Christopher Bogdahn, Gaby Hirsbrunner
Itin & Hoch
Prof. Dr. A. Starke, Klauentiermedizin, Leipzig
Gaby Hirsbrunner
Jan 2015
Forschungsprojekte der Wiederkäuerklinik der Vetsuisse-Fakultät, Universität Bern