Friday, 29 June 2018 08:55

LIC software will detect lameness early

Written by 
Lameness can lead to declining body condition and milk production. Lameness can lead to declining body condition and milk production.

LIC says it is in the early stages of developing artificial intelligence (AI) software to allow early detection of lameness caused by cow gait.

AI and sophisticated imaging techniques are being used daily to monitor and track lameness. 

Injuries and illness in hooves (lameness) can lead to declining body condition and milk production, and if left untreated can affect the survival of a cow in a herd. This results in significant losses for the dairy industry.  

LIC’s science leader Bevin Harris says the new technology could enable farmers to detect lameness much earlier, leading to shorter recovery times and lower costs, and better cow health and welfare.  

“Lameness is concerning for farmers on several fronts: health and safety for cow and farmer, plus the cost and time required to detect and treat animals.

“With this new technology, farmers could receive daily alerts that show trends that can be used to develop prevention strategies that address the underlying causes of lameness at an earlier stage,” says Harris.

“In time we would expect to see a reduction in the overall incidence of lameness through the use of this software.”

Indicators of lameness can be seen in the back arch and gait patterns of cows, but with the average NZ dairy cow herd size being 414 cows (NZ Dairy Statistics 2016-17), early detection can be a challenge.  A study by Massey University found that only 27% of the cows showing reduced mobility (lameness score of at least 2) were identified by NZ farmers.

LIC’s system will identify all levels of lameness and output a lameness score based on the DairyNZ scale of 0 – 3, tracking and recording the movement of each hoof and head using cameras. 

Healthy Hoof adviser and Anexa FVC veterinarian Hanneke Officer says lameness has a far greater impact on production than often realised.

“Cows are very tough, so lame cows will keep up with their herd mates until it becomes too painful to do so, which is often lameness score 2 and 3. However, production losses start weeks before lameness is detected by farm staff. 

“A lame cow will lie down more, walk less and eat less. This results in reduced quantity of milk, but also reduced quality through altered fat and protein levels.  If this technology can pick up cow lameness at score 1, then there could be a major impact on the financial and economic losses of lameness.” 

LIC expects AI-powered image analysis to be revolutionary to dairy farmers, who until now have required training to lameness score and spend time monitoring and recording each animal as they see them.  

“Our aim is that the system will identify all levels of lameness. Smart use of this early trend information can be very useful to reduce workload onfarm,” says Harris. 

Knowing the low-level lameness trend allows farmers to make early changes in environmental or herd management conditions to avoid a rapid increase in cases of lameness.  This can be achieved by improving races, or grazing in closer paddocks at critical times, or seeking professional advice.  

The co-op hopes to start prototyping a system in the 2018 season.

More like this

LIC ends year with $30.6m profit

Herd improvement company LIC has ended the 2024-25 financial year in a strong position - debt-free and almost quadrupling its net profit.

LIC Space folds for good

Farmer co-operative LIC has closed its satellite-backed pasture measurement platform – Space.

Featured

T&G Global returns to profitability

Fresh produce grower and exporter T&G Global has overturned last year’s dismal performance by reporting a half year net profit of $1.7 million.

Rural backlash over plan to cut police staffing

Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Bex Green says two public meetings held this week should have made it loud and clear that rural families and businesses are concerned about proposed staffing changes at NZ Police.

DairyNZ thanks farm staff

August 6 marks Farm Worker Appreciation Day, a moment to recognise the dedication and hard mahi of dairy farm workers across Aotearoa - and DairyNZ is taking the opportunity to celebrate the skilled teams working on its two research farms.

Editorial: Getting RMA settings right

OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.

National

Machinery & Products

» Latest Print Issues Online

Milking It

Fatberg

OPINION: Sydney has a $12 million milk disposal problem.

Synlait snag

OPINION: Canterbury milk processor Synlait's recovery seems to have hit another snag.

» Connect with Dairy News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter