Farm-specific economic value of automatic lameness detection systems in dairy cattle: From concepts to operational simulations

Abstract

Although prototypes of automatic lameness detection systems for dairy cattle exist, information about their economic value is lacking. In this paper, a conceptual and operational framework for simulating the farm-specific economic value of automatic lameness detection systems was developed and tested on 4 system types: walkover pressure plates, walkover pressure mats, camera systems, and accelerometers. The conceptual framework maps essential factors that determine economic value (e.g., lameness prevalence, incidence and duration, lameness costs, detection performance, and their relationships). The operational simulation model links treatment costs and avoided losses with detection results and farm-specific information, such as herd size and lameness status. Results show that detection performance, herd size, discount rate, and system lifespan have a large influence on economic value. In addition, lameness prevalence influences the economic value, stressing the importance of an adequate prior estimation of the on-farm prevalence. The simulations provide first estimates for the upper limits for purchase prices of automatic detection systems. The framework allowed for identification of knowledge gaps obstructing more accurate economic value estimation. These include insights in cost reductions due to early detection and treatment, and links between specific lameness causes and their related losses. Because this model provides insight in the trade-offs between automatic detection systems' performance and investment price, it is a valuable tool to guide future research and developments.

Profiling Detection and Classification of Lameness Methods in British Dairy Cattle Research: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

“…The analysis indicates that there are problems with how this health condition is reported and measured. It is particularly concerning that 4 out of the 6 studies identified in the SLR published from 2015 onwards based their findings in farm records, a data source highlighted for under-reporting lameness levels (25)(26)(27)(28). Additionally the diversity in mobility scoring methods, their intrinsic subjective nature and the potential lack of correspondence adds uncertainty to how consistently is lameness being measured between studies.…”

“…The reliability of the estimates is closely associated with the quality of data available. Farm records are commonly used as source of data for calculating disease frequency, yet studies consistently conclude that lameness in cows is under-reported by farmers (25)(26)(27). Whay et al (28) reported that farmers would underestimate lameness prevalence by 17% when compared with the observations from an independent and trained assessor.…”

Biochemical Profile and Productive Performance in Dairy Cows with Lameness During Postpartum Period

“…Lameness is a change in gait caused by a multifactorial process, compromising animal health and welfare [40]. The prevalence of lameness in herds raised in freestall systems is 25% in the United States [14], and 37% and 48% in Europe [2,44].…”

Lameness in dairy cows: farmer perceptions and automated detection technology

“…A simulation study by Van De Gucht et al . (2018) showed that high performance was one of the primary determinants of uptake by dairy farmers of new technologies. Regardless of this finding, relevant information regarding performance of investigated technologies is limited with many studies failing to report measures of accuracy, or the population sample size was too small to be meaningful thereby limiting the power and generalisability of results (Alsaaod et al ., 2019).…”