Application of robotics in automation of livestock feeding and farm management
Abstract
The study aimed to assess the impact of automated feeding on the physiological state, productivity and conditions of livestock. The study analysed the effect of automated feeding systems on physiological parameters, stress levels, cattle productivity and sanitary conditions in the feeding area. The experiment was conducted on 200 dairy cows and 150 beef bulls, divided into control (traditional feeding) and experimental (automated feeding) groups. Body temperature, heart and respiratory rates, stress levels, disease incidence, milk yield, average daily weight gain and microclimate parameters were measured. The study results demonstrated that the body temperature in the experimental group was 0.3°C lower (38.6°C vs. 38.9°C in the control group), the heart rate decreased by 9% (60 ± 3 beats/min vs. 66 ± 4 beats/min), and the respiratory rate by 14.3% (24 ± 2 breaths/min vs. 28 ± 3 breaths/min). Stress levels, as measured by cortisol, decreased by 29.4% compared to traditional feeding. The incidence of gastrointestinal disorders decreased from 22.5% to 9.5%, and cases of metabolic disorders from 13.2% to 6.7%. Milk yields in the automated system increased by 19.1% (26.8 ± 1.1 litres/day vs. 22.5 ± 1.2 litres/ day), and average daily weight gain in beef cattle increased by 23.2% (1.38±0.05 kg/day vs. 1.12±0.07 kg/day). The analysis of the microclimate in the feeding area determined a 22% reduction in ammonia levels, an improvement in humidity to the optimum 65-70% and a 17% increase in the cleanliness of the feeders. Comparisons with European farms demonstrated that automated feeding can reduce the gap between Ukrainian farms regarding animal productivity and sanitary conditions. The findings confirm the feasibility of introducing automated feeding systems to reduce morbidity, increase feeding efficiency and create more comfortable conditions for cattle
Keywords
physiological state; sanitary conditions; technological innovations; feed efficiency; feed management
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