Post date: Oct 08, 2012 4:32:29 PM
A technical college in Berne, Switzerland, is bringing high-tech telecommunications into the world of animal husbandry. The college is testing a system that sends a message to a farmer’ cellphone informing them when a cow is in heat. Data from an electronic temperature sensor inserted into the cow’s genitals is collated with data from a motion detector and sends a message to the farmer. The recognition rate is about 90 percent accurate.
Cows also calve less frequently now compared with 20 to 30 years ago, calving around three times during their lifetime instead of seven.The wireless intravaginal temperature sensor measures body heat. It transmits information to the ANEBOX transmitter round the cow’s neck that measures body motion.
After collating both sets of data, the transmitter sends an SMS signal via a base station to the farmer’s cellphone letting them know when the cow is in heat.
The recognition rate is about 90 percent accurate.
SOURCE: NY Times