Smart sensors in Thai dairy reproduction: A case study

Vet World Vol.17 June-2024 Article - 8

Research Article

Veterinary World, 17(6): 1251-1258

https://doi.org/10.14202/vetworld.2024.1251-1258

Jirayus Kaewbang^1,2, Jidapa Lohanawakul¹, Napat Ketnuam¹, Kachapas Prapakornmano¹, Pongsanan Khamta¹, Aqeel Raza³, Theerawat Swangchan-Uthai⁴, Davids Makararpong^1,5, and Chaidate Inchaisri¹

1. Research Unit of Data Innovation for Livestock, Department of Veterinary Medicine, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, 10330 Bangkok, Thailand.
2. Chulalongkorn Animal Hospital, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, 73000 Nakhonpathom Province, Thailand.
3. International Graduate Program of Veterinary Science and Technology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, 10330 Bangkok, Thailand.
4. CU-Animal Fertility Research Unit, Department of Veterinary Obstetrics and Gynecology, Faculty of Veterinary Science, Chulalongkorn University, 10330 Bangkok, Thailand.
5. Senovate AI Co., Ltd., 10240 Bangkok, Thailand.

Background and Aim: Movement activity sensors are known for their potential to boost the reproductive performance of dairy cows. This study evaluated the effectiveness of these sensors on three Thai dairy farms (MK, NF, and CC), each using different sensor brands. We focused on reproductive performance at these farms and expanded our evaluation to include farmer satisfaction with sensor technology on five farms (MK, NF, CC, AP, and IP), allowing for a thorough analysis of both operational outcomes and user feedback.

Materials and Methods: A total of 298 lactation records and interviewing five experienced farm owners with over a year of sensor usage were our research methods. To measure the effect on the first service timing and post-parturition pregnancy rates, Cox regression models were utilized for sensor usage.

Results: Biosensors’ implementation enhanced data precision while quickening the first service within 100 days and pregnancy within 200 days. The MK and NF farms showed significant progress. Within 100 and 200 days post-implementation, the overall improvement was 30%–34% in the first service rate and 39%–67% in the conception rate across all assessed farms. Farmers acknowledged improved reproductive performance from the sensors, overcoming language barriers.

Conclusion: The study highlighted the advantages of using movement activity sensors in enhancing both cattle reproductive success and farmers’ satisfaction on Thai dairy farms. These sensors led to more accurate management decisions, increasing overall farm productivity.

Keywords: dairy cattle, movement activity sensors, reproductive performance.

How to cite this article: Kaewbang J, Lohanawakul J, Ketnuam N, Prapakornmano K, Khamta P, Raza A, SwangChan-Uthai T, Makararpong D, and Inchaisri C (2024) Smart sensors in Thai dairy reproduction: A case study, Veterinary World, 17(6): 1251-1258.

Received: 2024-03-14 Accepted: 2024-05-15 Published online: 2024-06-08

Corresponding author: Chaidate Inchaisri E-mail: chaidate.i@chula.ac.th

DOI: 10.14202/vetworld.2024.1251-1258

Copyright: Kaewbang, et al. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/ by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, provide a link to the Creative Commons license, and indicate if changes were made. The Creative Commons Public Domain Dedication waiver (http:// creativecommons.org/ publicdomain/zero/1.0/) applies to the data made available in this article, unless otherwise stated.