On-animal sensors for monitoring animal health and welfare

Gastro-intestinal nematodes pose a significant economic and productivity threat to the Australian sheep industry. Costs are not only associated with the treatment of affected animals but the substantial production losses due to lost performance. This project proposes an on-animal sensor system which will allow graziers the ability to spatially and temporally monitor their animal’s health and welfare status autonomously, potentially revolutionising the extensive grazing system. Based on GNSS and accelerometer technology, behavioural algorithms will help livestock producer’s decision making via the detection of individual animals displaying abnormal behavioural patterns associated with worm infection, leading to earlier detection and intervention before clinical disease becomes apparent.

Key contact person details

Dr Jamie Barwick
jbarwick2@une.edu.au