MSR data logger for animal husbandry
When keeping animals, there are usually recommendations or regulations on how areas, stables, times, etc. should be designed so that we can speak of species-appropriate husbandry.
MSR data loggers can be used to carry out a variety of studies that provide valuable information about animal behavior. For example, a waterproof MSR data logger can be attached to the foot of a cow to obtain information about its walking, standing, lying and sleeping behavior. A pressure sensor can be used to track chewing behavior, knowing that this allows conclusions to be drawn about well-being. In sheep, sweating behavior can be recorded with the appropriate data loggers, as the animals' sweating is a measure of their well-being.
Monitoring in agriculture at the Agroscope Research Station
Today's dairy cows are high-performance athletes who want to be looked after accordingly. Do they feel well? Are they all fit? Are the husbandry conditions optimal? In order to prove the well-being of the animals on the basis of clear facts, the Agroscope Reckenholz-Tänikon Agricultural Engineering Research Station, in collaboration with the MSR team, equipped dairy cows with a data logger.
The waterproof, indestructible MSR145 model was used, which was attached to each hind leg and whose 3-axis acceleration sensor recorded the activity of the individual animals. This made it possible to precisely measure the animals' lying times and draw conclusions about their state of health, well-being and the associated yield potential. The evaluation of the data is completely uncomplicated via the PC. A small investment with great benefits: The MSR145 data logger provides reliable information on the welfare of farm animals under certain husbandry conditions. The experience gained could be of great benefit to farmers in the future: Lower veterinary costs, higher yields and, above all, happier cows!