Field testing of LoRa-WAN sensors for real-time tracking and biosensing of Brangus and Raramuri Criollo cattle foraging on a small pasture

Authors: NYAMUREKUNG'E, SHELAMIA - New Mexico State University; DUFF, GLENN - New Mexico State University; CIBILS, ANDRES - New Mexico State University; Estell, Richard; UTSUMI, S - New Mexico State University; FUNK, M - New Mexico State University; COX, ANDREW - New Mexico State University; GONG, Q - New Mexico State University; CAO, H - New Mexico State University; Spiegal, Sheri; GOUVEA, V - New Mexico State University; BRANDANI, CAROLINA - New Mexico State University

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/1/2022
Publication Date: 9/21/2022
Citation: Nyamurekung'E, S., Duff, G., Cibils, A.F., Estell, R.E., Utsumi, S.A., Funk, M., Cox, A., Gong, Q., Cao, H., Spiegal, S.A., Gouvea, V., Brandani, C.B. 2022. Field testing of LoRa-WAN sensors for real-time tracking and biosensing of Brangus and Raramuri Criollo cattle foraging on a small pasture. Journal of Animal Science. Abstract. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skac247.369.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skac247.369

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The study’s objective was to investigate the use of Internet of Things (IoT) biosensors using Long Range Wide Area Network (LoRa-WAN) communication to compare the foraging behavior of two desert adapted cattle breeds. Two groups of mature Brangus (BA) and Raramuri Criollo (RC) cows were introduced into a small irrigated pasture (38ha) at the New Mexico State University’s Clayton Livestock Research Center during Dec-Jan, 2021 (41-days). The real-time position and activity count data (15- and 1-minute interval, respectively) were retrieved continuously from 4 BA and 5 RC cows collared with commercially available trackers (Abeeway Industrial-trackers). Response variables derived from GPS records included daily distance traveled (Dist) and daily area explored (Area). Response variables derived from accelerometers included daily percentage motion (%Act) and cumulative activity data (CumAct). All variables were grouped into six consecutive weekly periods and analyzed by a repeated measures mixed model that included the fixed effects of BREED, WEEK, and the BREED*WEEK interaction in a completely randomized design. A significant (P< 0.01) BREED*WEEK interaction was detected on all GPS-derived variables, with RC exhibiting a trend to explore larger areas than BA (P=0.06). For the accelerometer-derived variables, the BREED*WEEK interaction was only significant (P=0.01) for CumAct. Overall, BA spent a larger percentage of the day active (%Act; BA= 76.74 vs. RC= 73.16; P=0.02), while investing a significantly greater overall activity (CumAct; BA= 8816.63 vs. RC= 6311.31; P=0.03) compared to RC cows. The insensitivity of GPS-derived variables is hypothesized to be the result of aggregating errors associated with less frequent GPS location measurements coupled with position errors (~5m) and a low success rate of data packet transmission (~40%). The spatial scale of the study is hypothesized to have influenced the foraging behavior differences that were observed between the breeds, and the better performance of the accelerometer vs. GPS-derived variables.