Use of Drones for Trough Reading, Animal Counting, and Production Monitoring in Feedlot Systems

In line with the concept of precision agriculture, this study aimed to validate the use of digital aerial images captured using a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) for collecting zootechnical data on cattle feedlot systems in a tropical environment. Images were captured on 21 non-consecutive days in 1...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:AgriEngineering 2024-12, Vol.6 (4), p.4460-4475
Main Authors: Bastos, Kécia M., Barcelos, Jardel P., Orioli, Guilherme F., Nascimento, Sheila T.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
aerial imaging
Agricultural aircraft
Aircraft
Animal behavior
Animal welfare
beef cattle
Cattle
Climate
Cost effectiveness
Data analysis
Digital imaging
Drone aircraft
Drones
Factory farming
Farms
feedlot
Feedlots
Feeds
Livestock
Monitoring methods
Precision farming
Remote monitoring
Remotely piloted aircraft
RPA
Tropical environment
Tropical environments
Water quality
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Summary:In line with the concept of precision agriculture, this study aimed to validate the use of digital aerial images captured using a remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) for collecting zootechnical data on cattle feedlot systems in a tropical environment. Images were captured on 21 non-consecutive days in 110 pens with up to 150 animals each. Conventional and RPA-based methods were adopted to determine animal behavior, feed trough levels, animal counts, and pen conditions. Data analysis revealed almost perfect agreement (kappa coefficient = 0.901) between trough readings taken by conventional and RPA methods as well as substantial agreement for fecal score (kappa coefficient = 0.785) and surface conditions (kappa coefficient = 0.737). However, animal counts and water quality scores showed only fair agreement, suggesting challenges in using RPA for these specific tasks. The results indicated that RPA represents a viable alternative to conventional methods for monitoring zootechnical indices in feedlots, offering benefits in terms of accuracy, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. The implementation of RPA-based methods holds potential for improving animal management, welfare, and yield in feedlot systems.
ISSN:2624-7402
2624-7402
DOI:10.3390/agriengineering6040253