Welcome to the interest group

'Housing'

This is where you can discuss the use of data and particularly that derived from remote sensors in the design and daily management of dairy housing. Please use the menu on the left to navigate to the discussion forum or upload/download documents. 

Introduction

Decisions made with the assistance of data from remote sensing tends to be focused on individual animals - oestrous detection, rumination rate etc. but in its use in housing tends to be focussed at the herd or group level.

The appropriate overall initial design and daily management of dairy housing has a significant influence in the efficiency by which the individual dairy animal can express its full genetic potential as it controls the environment the cow may inhabit for large parts of the year. The use of remote sensing data and the decisions derived from it impacts upon housing in two separate time lines. Initially, in the correct design of the housing so that an optimum cow environment can be maintained. Secondly, the continual use of data derived both from individual cow sensors   and those embedded in the structure of the buildings to manipulate the environment of the animals on an hourly or daily basis.

The use of such data is not limited to new, innovative smart buildings and is equally applicable in traditional housing, testing its effectiveness, its daily management, possible refurbishment and reworking.

Topics covered in the best practice guide include:

• Design of innovative smart buildings
• Environment manipulation
• Optimisation of cow behaviour

Sensors and technologies available to inform housing decisions

Last update: April 12, 2017