Disclosed is an animal tracking system having at least one temperature sensor associated with a heat transfer element which has a heat transfer area provided in a manner contacting the ear of livestock, in order to provide tracking of health information and behavior analyses of livestock by the breeder by an electronic ear tag fixed to the ear regions of livestock.

The invention relates to a data network for automatically monitoring voluntary behaviors of individual animals of an animal herd. The individual animals of the animal herd each have a node of the data network. A further node is attached at a location which an animal preferably approaches in the course of a behavior to be monitored. In the event that the animal approaches the node, communication occurs between the nodes, in which communication one node is identified by the other node and a central data-processing system is informed that the two nodes have come into contact. The communication between the two nodes occurs by means of the transfer of electrical signals in a closed electrical alternating-current circuit, which also passes, among other things, through the body of the animal as an electrical conductor.

The invention relates to a data network for automatically monitoring voluntary behaviors of individual animals of an animal herd. The individual animals of the animal herd each have a node of the data network. A further node is attached at a location which an animal preferably approaches in the course of a behavior to be monitored. In the event that the animal approaches the node, communication occurs between the nodes, in which communication one node is identified by the other node and a central data-processing system is informed that the two nodes have come into contact. The communication between the two nodes occurs by means of the transfer of electrical signals in a closed electrical alternating-current circuit, which also passes, among other things, through the body of the animal as an electrical conductor.

A method for estrus detection includes storing location information associated with a dairy livestock. This information includes coordinate locations of the dairy livestock within a free stall pen at each of a plurality of times during a time period including a first time and a second time. The coordinate locations comprise at least a first (X, Y, Z) location of the dairy livestock at the first time and a second (X, Y, Z) location of the dairy livestock at the second time. The method further includes determining, based on at least the first and second (X, Y, Z) locations, a turn index parameter indicating a number of times the dairy livestock reverses directions during the time period. The method further includes determining whether the dairy livestock is likely to be in estrus based at least in part upon whether the determined turn index parameter is in excess of a baseline turn index parameter by more than a first predefined amount.

A system and method for treating livestock may include a ramp for containing dairy livestock and one or more mobile units configured to travel on the ramp, below the dairy livestock, and perform at least one action related to a treatment of the livestock. A mobile unit may be adapted to travel to a predefined location within a stall, and attach a milking equipment unit to a cow in the stall. A plurality of mobile units and a central management unit may be configured to dynamically cause at least some of the plurality of mobile units to each perform a portion of a treatment or task.

In some examples, a method to monitor an animal may include determining a physiological status of the animal based on a tattoo that includes intelligent ink injected into skin of the animal. The method may also include recording the physiological status of the animal. The method may also include, in response to the physiological status indicating a physiological event or condition, triggering an alert to address the physiological event or condition.

In some examples, a method to monitor an animal may include determining a physiological status of the animal based on a tattoo that includes intelligent ink injected into skin of the animal. The method may also include recording the physiological status of the animal. The method may also include, in response to the physiological status indicating a physiological event or condition, triggering an alert to address the physiological event or condition.

A system for automatically determining pregnancy toxaemia in at least one animal in a group of animals comprises a sensor for obtaining at least one value representative of a liquid or water uptake of the at least one animal, said sensor being adapted to be positioned in the vicinity of a liquid or water supply station or on the at least one animal; and a processing unit configured for comparing the obtained at least one value representative of a liquid or water uptake of the at least one animal to a mean value representative of an average of the at least one value for the group of animals or to a value deduced therefrom; and for generating a signal and/or alert when the obtained at least one value representative of a liquid or water uptake exceeds the mean value or the value deduced therefrom by a pre-determined threshold value.

A system for automatically determining pregnancy toxaemia in at least one animal in a group of animals comprises a sensor for obtaining at least one value representative of a liquid or water uptake of the at least one animal, said sensor being adapted to be positioned in the vicinity of a liquid or water supply station or on the at least one animal; and a processing unit configured for comparing the obtained at least one value representative of a liquid or water uptake of the at least one animal to a mean value representative of an average of the at least one value for the group of animals or to a value deduced therefrom; and for generating a signal and/or alert when the obtained at least one value representative of a liquid or water uptake exceeds the mean value or the value deduced therefrom by a pre-determined threshold value.

The present apparatus and method provides for real-time automated, non-invasive infrared thermography information of an animal to be used for both thermal and behavioral measurement, thereby providing an earlier and more accurate predictor of onset of disease, growth states, or reproductive states in that animal. More specifically, the present system and method provide for the use of thermal images (taken, for example, at a water station) to obtain both temperature and behavioral information about one or more animals at a time, and to utilize that information to determine the health, growth, or reproductive state of the animal. The combination of thermal biometric data, such as radio frequency identification infrared thermography, and behavioral biometric information, such as behavioral fidgets can be used to detect early-onset of these biological steady and non-steady states in animals.