SOUTHERN Australian feedlots will trial advanced methods of remotely and objectively monitoring behavioural changes in feedlot cattle, aimed at earlier and more precise detection of bovine respiratory disease (BRD).
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The technology has been developed in the United States, where trials have shown it could find sick calves an average of 18 hours before visual observation and in most cases, calves were treated by day ten, compared to conventional methods where it was day 20.
BRD, the most common cause of illness and death in Australian feedlots, is caused by a combination of stress and viruses and bacteria.
It has traditionally been left to the experienced eye of pen riders to detect, via visual symptoms such as depression, loss of appetite and nasal and eye discharge.
The Remote Early Disease Identification (REDI) system was outlined recently at the Australian Lot Feeders Association conference, BeefEx, in southern Queensland by its maker, US veterinarian Dr Brad White of Kansas State University and Precision Animal Solutions.
It works by continuously monitoring cattle and then combining aspects of feeding frequency, changes in activity patterns and social interactions to generate an accurate, early determination of disease status.
Ultra-wide band ear tags and receivers monitor animal movements throughout the feedlot pen.
Dr White said REDI was on track to be commercialised by mid next year and there was strong interest, from both sides, in bringing it to Australia.
It has just been announced that starting in early 2017, a project supported by Meat and Livestock Australia will evaluate the system in two feedlots in collaboration with Dr White.
MLA feedlot project manager Dr Joe McMeniman said automated systems would help detect, diagnose and treat BRD earlier, leading to improved animal welfare outcomes and production benefits.
He said the Northern American and Canadian trials has shown it enabled earlier diagnosis and treatment of the disease, and promoted judicious antimicrobial use by treating only true cases.
The ear tag, applied when cattle arrive at the feedlot, immediately starts measuring behaviour.
BRD is most common in the first 40 days on feed.
“By the time we get to 36 hours after arrival, we’ve accumulated enough data that we can start to make a disease call or determine their wellness state,” Dr White said.
“The system identifies things that we simply can’t see with our eyes because we don’t have the time to watch every individual 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
“That’s where the technology is a real benefit – it gives us the opportunity to constantly collect data and augment what the pen rider sees.”
Vice president of the Australian Lot Feeders Association Jim Cudmore said this was crucial technology because of the accuracy it could provide around identifying animals that were unwell.
It would have significant benefits across both animal welfare and costs of production, he said.
“We have really good people with great livestock skills in our feedlots but BRD detection has always been a subjective science,” he said.
Shan Goodwin
Shan Goodwin steers ACM’s national coverage of the beef industry. Shan has worked as a journalist for 30 years, the majority of that with agricultural publications. She spent many years as The Land’s North Coast reporter and has visited beef properties and stations throughout the country and overseas. She treats all breeds equally. Contact 0427686187. E: s.goodwin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Shan Goodwin steers ACM’s national coverage of the beef industry. Shan has worked as a journalist for 30 years, the majority of that with agricultural publications. She spent many years as The Land’s North Coast reporter and has visited beef properties and stations throughout the country and overseas. She treats all breeds equally. Contact 0427686187. E: s.goodwin@austcommunitymedia.com.au
