Cattle

Developed under the AADGG, the app enables users to search and view historical data on each individual cow. (Image source: AADGG)

In an attempt to boost productivity and support smallholder farmers, an advanced livestock monitiring app has been launched under the African Asian Dairy Genetics Gains Project (AADGG)

As part of the combined effort from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Centre for Tropical Livestock Genetics and Health (CTLGH), this tool offers real-time capabilities in livestock health, feed management, and artificial insemination data collection, none of which were previously available with the commonly used Open Data Kit (ODK) system.

How it works

The app replaces a simpler ODK data-gathering system that could be accessed through a tablet or laptop but could not be accessed by farmers, while also making it relatively difficult to retrieve collected data. Developed under the AADGG, the app enables users to search and view historical data on each individual cow. It also makes it easier to register farms, farmers and their livestock, enabling the recording of household information, health, breeding, and productivity data on individual cattle by farmers, researchers, and AADGG collaborators. With improved visibility and data quality through this mobile app, efforts to select adaptable, high-yielding dairy genetics for smallholder dairy farmers in Africa and Asia will be significantly strengthened.

"The app is a game-changer for us, providing a long-term sustainability path for our data collection. It gives us many more opportunities for data capture and of higher accuracy," said Raphael Mrode, ILRI Principal scientist and researcher at CTLGH.

Some of the features and benefits of the application include:

1. Real-time data collection: Enables instant recording and feedback on livestock health, breeding, and productivity.

2. Advanced modules: Tracks pedigree, milk output, farm size, animal traits, and more, offering comprehensive insights.

3. Historical data access: Provides farmers with visibility into past records, enhancing decision-making.

4. User-friendly design: Runs on Android smartphones and is designed for accessibility, with future plans for local language translations.

The AADGG-Dairy Data App runs on Android smartphones and was rolled out by a multi-national team in four African countries, namley, Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda and in Nepal during the months of September-October. Jennifer Volk, senior Information and Data Systems Lead at CTLGH emphasised that the app's interface and real-time feedback greatly helped farmers to better manage their livestock, while also addressing the key challenges faced by them.

By advancing sustainable livestock management, ILRI and CTLGH have embarked on a quest to empower smallholder farmers through innovative solutions. They have also invited stakeholders, policymakers, and development partners to join efforts in scaling its impact and transforming farming practices globally.

The system is designed to maximise efficiency in feed management, allowing producers to reduce costs and optimize resource utilisation. (Image source: Topcon)

Leading precision agriculture designer, manufacturer and distributor, Topcon Agriculture recently announced the launch of its latest feeding system, TMR Flex Pro that enables smooth management of the feeding process

The system also provides real-time insight in key aspects such as dry matter, refusals and pen deliveries. Besides accuracy, other key elements that are critical to this include elements such as time and flexibility. This is particularly important for larger farms. Developed together with farmers, the modular TMR FlexPro helps improve daily workflow on the go and in a practical and convenient way. 

A major advantage of this system inclues its self-explanatory interface which is simple and reduces the learning curve, while also ensuring ease of use for individual operators and feeding teams. Moreover, the system also allows multiple users to seamlessly collaborate during the loading and delivery process, thereby enhancing not only visibility, but also efficiency and productivity. 

“Ingredient tracking functionality enhances inventory control, and the system’s unique refusal recording and substitution feature reduces feed waste, improving sustainability and farmers’ return on investment,” said Topcon Agriculture's senior vice president and segment leader of nutrition and weighing technologies, Wim De Wit. 

The system comprises the Digi-Star FD1 tablet, a data transfer device, and the TAP FEED Pro/Feedlot subscription and is designed to maximise efficiency in feed management, allowing producers to reduce costs and optimise resource utilisation. It offers enhanced data visibility and monitoring capabilities, providing farmers with valuable, data-driven insights for better planning and decision-making. 

“TMR Flex Pro can be connected to existing Digi-Star scale systems or load cells of any kind on any brand feed mixer. It is the best-in-class upgrade solution to achieve a next-level feed management experience on any type or size dairy and feedlot operation,” De Wit said. “The TAP FEED cloud platform allows producers to collaborate with their trusted partners such as feed suppliers, nutritionists, and others who all have an increasing need for real-time data for the benefit of their advancing business models and sustainability agendas.”

Monitoring estrus intensity in cattle helps optimise reproduction and can be done efficiently with visual estrus detection aids. (Image source: ESTROTECT)

Although all estrus cycles are not the same for individual females within a herd, it is one of the most important indicators of whether a cow or heifer will be successfully bred

Animal reproduction professor at the University of British Columbia in Canada, Ronaldo Cerri, PhD is carrying out research work to improve cattle fertility by identifying which cows and heifers are the best candidates to breed using tactics like artificial insemination (AI) and embryo transfer (ET), with estrus intensity as the deciding factor.

Cattle have typical baseline activity when they aren’t in estrus. When they start to enter estrus, their activity rises as the intensity of the estrus increases. Pinpointing when estrus is about to peak is crucial to a successful pregnancy. 

After analysing extensive data from estrus detection sensors, Cerri and other researchers have pinpointed patterns based on what’s occurring during estrus. Cows exhibiting low estrus intensity tend to have lower concentrations of progesterone during the growth of the ovulatory follicle and fail to ovulate more often than those with high estrus intensity. Similarly, ET recipients that show high estrus intensity have more consistent pregnancy results.

“The patterns are very consistent in many of the studies we do,” said Cerri. “Cows with lower estrus intensity always display less physical activity, but they also have lower pregnancy rates. On the flip side, cows with high estrus intensity display more activity and have higher pregnancy rates.”

Evaluating estrus intensity

Using heat detection tools to evaluate estrus intensity can help to pick and choose which cows are the best candidates to breed at a particular time. While implementing a mass breeding protocol, offers the option to use estrus intensity to direct choices on what type of genetics to use.

The report considers current global food systems and their associated problems, focusing on dairy as a sector willing and able to change. (Image source: Regen Dairy Project)

The Regen Dairy Project launched its 'Let’s Get Serious About Making Dairy Regenerative' report at the recently held 2024 Regenerative Agriculture Summit Europe

With little research done on regenerative dairy to date or a clear vision on the transition required by all those in the supply chain and at scale, the Regen Dairy Project is defining a clear roadmap towards a positive food system for people, animals and the planet. The report considers current global food systems and their associated problems, focusing on dairy as a sector willing and able to change.

Having taken a farmer-centric approach to understanding regenerative dairy, the report outlines recommendations for transition and suggested actions for all those involved - including often overlooked stakeholders such as banks and lenders, media and wider society.

“We believe regenerative dairying can play a significant role in tackling important environmental challenges, as well as combating critical issues facing humanity, like human health, environmental degradation, animal welfare, and water use," said CEO of FAI Farms, Øistein Thorsen. "And all while producing the nutritious food needed to feed a growing global population and helping farmers stay profitable.”

He also concluded by saying that rather than telling farmers what to do, the report focused more about achieving change in a food system, which is often considered complex since it requires input and action from everyone. "We are all responsible for educating ourselves on what regenerative agriculture is and the benefits it provides, and for many this could include a shift in mindset. We are excited to see what can be achieved,” Thorsen said.