Development of a new method to estimate energy expenditure of grazing ruminants using a three-dimensional accelerometer

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 24780255
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Zootechnical science/Grassland science
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: OISHI Kazato 京都大学, (連合)農学研究科(研究院), 助教 (50452280)
• Project Period (FY): 2012-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 家畜 / 放牧 / エネルギー消費量 / 加速度

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Estimating the energy expenditure of farm animals at pasture is important for efficient animal management. In the present study, we tested the potential use of an acceleration index, dynamic body acceleration (DBA), as a new proxy for estimating the energy expenditure of grazing farm animals (cattle, goats and sheep) with the simultaneous evaluation of a conventional proxy, heart rate. First, by combining a newly established common equation between DBA and heart rate with the previously reported energy expenditure per heartbeat, we could estimate the energy expenditure of the tested animals, and the results indicated that DBA is a good proxy for estimating the energy expenditure of grazing farm animals across species and breeds. Moreover, we could develop an easier new method for estimating energy expenditure by incorporating DBA into a conventional metabolizable energy system.

Free Research Field

家畜生産システム