Lameness identification system in cattle farms
Clarity
The current situation regarding the subject of the project
In recent decades, livestock production in Greece has been growing rapidly, due to the growing demand for products of animal origin. This demand led to the transition from traditional to intensive farming systems with the aim of intensifying production. Cattle, being one of the most important productive species in the livestock sector, contribute decisively to the economic development of the country. The consequence of these changes is the emergence of unknown health problems or the worsening of existing ones, mainly due to the incorrect management of intensively farmed animals.
One such problem is the increase in the incidence of lameness, especially in animals that remain stabled throughout the year. This is the most decisive factor of stress, often painful, which significantly degrades both the level of well-being and the reduction of milk production, the reduction of estrus and consequently the reproduction of the patients animals in the case of non-timely detection of the disease.
The Innovation
The structure of the Clarity system includes both commercial components and components that are the result of original laboratory research. In more detail, the system manages to effectively and successfully combine commercial sensors for recording the kinesiological parameters of animals (accelerometers), sensors for detecting oestrus, for notification of parturition and for monitoring the nutrition and health of the animal with an innovative information system, which for the early diagnosis of lameness uses machine learning algorithms properly adapted to diagnose lameness at an early stage even if the symptoms are not visually obvious.
This capability is due to the system’s ability to highlight differences in the kinesiological signatures of diseased animals and compare them to those of healthy ones. The differentiation of the proposed system in relation to those available on the market lies mainly in the fact that the system can continuously record the animal’s movements, without affecting them and without changing its daily habits.
Agricultural European Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI)
The objective of Measure 16 is to strengthen the culture of cooperation between the involved bodies with the aim of:
- strengthening the competitiveness of businesses in primary production (agricultural holdings) in the food sector, mainly local products but also as well as
- the search for new cultivation practices and production practices that contribute to the protection of the environment but also to adaptation to climate change.
Through the partnerships that will be developed, the opportunity will be given to utilize new technologies and innovative processes for:
- the production of safer and healthier food.
- the reduction of water consumption and in general the cost of inputs for economic and environmental benefit
- ensuring the uniqueness of certified agricultural products
