Monitoring bovine health using wireless mechano-acoustic biophysical sensors

The bigger pictureThe dairy industry faces economic and animal welfare consequences when health issues of the herd are not detected promptly. A device that monitors the health of each bovine can improve procedures in animal care and help manage farming operations by tracking measurements such as rumination time and chewing rates. When these values fall outside their normal ranges, they can serve as early indicators that intervention may be needed, such as isolating the affected animal or performing a veterinary examination. In this work, we designed and tested a surface-mounted device that yields real-time, multi-modal information on the health of multiple bovines within a herd. The device tracks key biological signals related to activity, behaviors, and vital signs, and helps farmers avoid unnecessary examinations, reducing labor costs, minimizing stress on the animals, and supporting informed care decisions.