College herd has Vision of future welfare checks

3D monitoring and smart analysis gives'early warning' of health issues

- WITH ANDREW FORGRAVE

REVOLUTIONARY new 3D video monitoring technology is delivering economic and environmental benefits and supporting animal welfare at a leading land-based college.

Coleg Cambria Llysfasi has installed HerdVision at its working farm and is already reaping the benefits.

As well having a positive financial and sustainability impact the Smart Agriculture system which uses 2D and 3D infared camera technology, combined with smart algorithms and edge processing, to capture data which is sent to a server to be viewed on an app within seconds has a major effect on the animal's health, fertility and milk production.

Cambria has 280 dairy cows on site and each one is monitored daily, providing an "early warning" which "may not always be picked up by the naked eye" to ensure the cattle remain productive and efficient.

Llysfasi Farm Manager Dewi Jones said: "We installed HerdVision at the start of the academic year in September and are already seeing the benefits.

"The system monitors locomotion and body condition, which is invaluable when considering milk production, fertility, foot trimming and other factors.