ARS | Publication request: Chapter 6: Instrumentation for Research and Management in Animal Agriculture

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: August 7, 2009
Publication Date: December 1, 2009
Citation: Eigenberg, R.A., Bucklin, R.A., Brown Brandl, T.M. 2009. Chapter 6: Instrumentation for Research and Management in Animal Agriculture. In: DeShazer, J.A., ed. Livestock Energetics and Thermal Environmental Management. St. Joseph, MI:American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers. p.131-149.

Technical Abstract: Defining thermal environments and an animal’s response to its environment is critical; this chapter ‘Chapter 6 - Instrumentation for Research and Management in Animal Agriculture’ of the book ‘Thermal Environment and Livestock Energetics’ deals with instrumentation with respect to physiological measurements directly on animals as well as their environment. Physiological measurements of body temperature and respiration rate are considered; additionally, sensors used for meteorological measures of ambient temperature, air speed, humidity, and solar radiation are examined. Finally, examples of integrative systems are given with a focus on a livestock safety monitor and a web page that forecasts cattle heat stress. The chapter summarizes researchers’ experiences in production animal studies for a variety of physiological and meteorological measurements.