AGRARTREND
IN FOCUS
11.05.2016
Data out of the cow’s stomach
The right feed mixture is an important factor for the health and productivity of dairy cows. Dr.
Johann gasteiner explains which tasks a sensor in a cow’s stomach can undertake.
DR. GASTEINER, WHICH ROLE DOES THE FEED PLAY FOR THE ANIMAL’S WELL-BEING AND ITS
PRODUCTIVITY?
The feed must meet the animals’ requirement with regard to the amount, composition from basic feed and
concentrated feed* as well as the way it is supplied to the cows. Otherwise the cows will fall ill. Dairy cows can fall
ill due to too much concentrated feed as well as too little. It is therefore essential that the productivity level, feed
management and keeping are harmonised.
AND IN CONJUNCTION WITH METHANE EMISSIONS?
The percentage of climate-relevant gases emitted by ruminants lies below four per cent – this figure fluctuates in
the relevant literature. One should also take into account that the animals’ feeding areas, especially grassland,
convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. So, cattle-breeding definitely has a positive balance.
YOU HAVE DEVELOPED A SENSOR FOR CATTLE WHICH CONTINUOUSLY DETERMINES THE PH
VALUE IN AN ANIMAL’S STOMACH. WHY IS THIS VALUE IMPORTANT?
The pH value in the rumen, i.e. the cow’s stomach, increases or decreases depending on the amount of
concentrated feed. The line between too little and too much concentrated feed gets increasingly thinner as the
output of a dairy cow increases. Optimum feed management is therefore very important. Knowledge of the pH
value helps with this. Together with a company in Graz, Austria, we have worked intensively on a technical
solution, the rumen sensor. This sensor, which is swallowed by the animal and remains – unnoticed –
permanently in the animal’s stomach system, measures the pH value, temperature and activity at ten-minute
intervals. This data is transmitted to a server via a base station and the animal’s owner can access it immediately
via the Internet. There is now also a mobile phone app which sends an alarm when specific parameters are
exceeded. Knowing the rumen temperature, which is very closely linked to the internal body temperature, is also
useful in practice: it can be used to determine the fluid intake, the time of birth of a calf as well as the health
status. The rumen sensor thus not only makes a decisive contribution towards the animal’s well-being, but has
also become the latest herd management tool worldwide.
CAN FARMERS ALREADY USE THE SENSOR?
The sensors are already in operation in Europe as well as in many enterprises in Asia and the USA. Several
thousand sensors have already been used with success. The sensor was originally designed for scientific use,
because several research institutes and universities are working on what happens in a cow’s stomach. Largescale enterprises, in particular, quickly recognised the benefits of using the sensor. With the extension of the
available functions to also measure the temperature and activity, this system is now of interest to enterprises of all
sizes. By the way, the sensor has a run-time of at least four years.
THE FEEDING OF AGRICULTURAL LIVESTOCK HAS C-ONFLICTING PRIORITIES: ON THE ONE
HAND THERE IS THE ANIMALS’ NUTRITIONAL REQUIREMENT, AND ON THE OTHER HAND, THE
ECOLOGICAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS?…
I believe that you can only evaluate strategies to answer this question (keyword: sustainability debate) on the
basis of economics and that they can only be implemented regionally. The only force which defines how this issue
will develop is the agricultural market. In the global market, only the available quantities of agricultural products,
the demand and thus the prices are of relevance in the agricultural sector. Whoever produces a lot and cheaply
primarily determines the price. Gigantic agricultural areas, the use of genetically modified plants, large-scale
enterprises with more than 10,000 dairy cows are opposed to small ownership structures like, for example, in
Austria, with an average of 16 cows per enterprise. For these small enterprises, this can only mean that they must
specialise themselves in brand programmes, more regionality and of course organic production. This is the only
way to create value.
HOW WILL RUMINANTS BE KEPT IN 30 OR 40 YEARS’ TIME?
The use of industrial by-products in animal feed will become more important. In the case of milk producers, I think
the best thing to do is to become as independent as possible. What they grow on their own fields must form the
basis for their refined products. Enterprises are getter bigger and bigger with regard to the number of animals.
However, in milk production, in particular, it is recognised that only optimum husbandry conditions and
management lead to profitable business. A high cow comfort** is thus no longer just a catchword. At the same
time, fewer and fewer people will be working in the enterprise. The use of technology and electronics in herd
management and maintaining and monitoring the health of livestock will thus become more frequent – for
example, by means of Precision Livestock Farming. Parallel to this development, however, “ecological islands” will
also form, which want to set themselves apart from the masses through a greater environmental awareness and
higher quality.
Personal details
Dr. Johann Gasteiner is Head of the Institute of Animal Welfare and Health Management at Höhere Bundeslehr- und
Forschungsanstalt Raumberg-Gumpenstein in Irdning, Austria. He is Diplomate of the European College of Bovine Health
Management (ECBHM). As a scientist, Dr. Johann Gasteiner deals with research issues and projects concerning the
keeping and health of agricultural livestock. As a vet, he also looks after the livestock at Forschungsanstalt RaumbergGumpenstein (research institute).
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