Evaluation of the RumiWatch system as a benchmark to monitor feeding and locomotion behaviors of grazing dairy cows

Validation of NEDAP Monitoring Technology for Measurements of Feeding, Rumination, Lying, and Standing Behaviors, and Comparison with Visual Observation and Video Recording in Buffaloes

“…In the current study, we found a high correlation of feeding and lying behaviors (0.9; p < 0.001) between NEDAP and visual observation; however, a moderate correlation was found in rumination and standing behaviors. A similar finding was observed in [ 5 ], using rumination collars, in [ 4 ], using ear attachment sensor, in [ 8 ], using Rami watch system on grazing dairy cows, and in [ 24 ], using monitoring technology on free-stall housed cattle. In the current study, the CCC correlation between NEDAP and visual observation was moderate for feeding and lying behaviors but high for rumination and standing behaviors.…”

“…In our view, previously, different sensors or monitoring systems were used to monitor behaviors in dairy and beef cattle. All these sensors monitored feeding [ 14 ] or eating [ 8 ] considerably accurately and sufficiently, and they are reliable. For resting ear [ 6 ], neck [ 16 ], and head, collars are not sufficient due to the fact that their position can be misplaced during feeding, etc.…”

“…Moreover, in rumination behavior, the utilization of forage in animals is highly associated with production, health status, and welfare of animals [ 7 ]. Previous studies in the literature showed that changes in feeding and rumination behaviors are directly linked with physiological disturbance [ 8 ] and metabolic disorder [ 9 ] in animals. Lying and standing both are resting behaviors in animals.…”

“…Other researchers used ear tag accelerometer 1 [ 15 ] and ear tag accelerometers 2 and 3 [ 16 ], to evaluate the changes in rumination and feeding activity in Holstein cows. Other researchers used sensors to check behavioral changes in beef cattle [ 7 ], sheep, and goats [ 17 ], while others checked validation of sensors in free-stall [ 18 ] and grazing cattle [ 8 ]. These devices potentially have some disadvantages, (e.g., an ear tag system can miscalculate jaw movement with ear movement, and it cannot evaluate lying or resting behaviors) [ 4 ].…”

Assessment of feeding, ruminating and locomotion behaviors in dairy cows around calving – a retrospective clinical study to early detect spontaneous disease appearance

“…In this context, RumiWatch1 halter (RWh) and the RumiWatch1 pedometer (RWp) equipped with three-dimensional (3D)-accelerometers fulfil these criteria, having unique features that-to the best of our knowledge-are not offered by any other accelerometer currently available on the market [16,17]. Indeed, as reported in our previous studies, the combined use of the two devices provides meaningful and accurate information regarding walking, feeding and rumination behaviors in dairy ruminants [18][19][20]. Sick and healthy cows seem to express different levels of activity [21], including parameters such as number of lying bouts [22], time spent lying down [23], length of strides [24], walking speed [24], chewing activity [25] feeding and rumination time [26,27].…”