Validation of Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) Devices on Sheep to Detect Grazing Movement Leaders and Social Networks in Merino Ewes.

Keshavarzi, H; Lee, C; Johnson, M; Abbott, D; Ni, W; Campbell, DLM

Validation of Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) Devices on Sheep to Detect Grazing Movement Leaders and Social Networks in Merino Ewes.

Keshavarzi, H Lee, C Johnson, M Abbott, D Ni, W

Campbell, DLM

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Publisher:: MDPI AG
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Sensors, 2021, 21, (3), pp. 1-19
Issue Date:: 2021-01-30

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Keshavarzi, H
dc.contributor.author	Lee, C
dc.contributor.author	Johnson, M
dc.contributor.author	Abbott, D
dc.contributor.author	Ni, W https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4933-594X
dc.contributor.author	Campbell, DLM
dc.date.accessioned	2022-05-23T05:20:36Z
dc.date.available	2021-01-27
dc.date.available	2022-05-23T05:20:36Z
dc.date.issued	2021-01-30
dc.identifier.citation	Sensors, 2021, 21, (3), pp. 1-19
dc.identifier.issn	1424-8220
dc.identifier.issn	1424-8220
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/157634
dc.description.abstract	Understanding social behaviour in livestock groups requires accurate geo-spatial localisation data over time which is difficult to obtain in the field. Automated on-animal devices may provide a solution. This study introduced an Real-Time-Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK-GNSS) localisation device (RTK rover) based on an RTK module manufactured by the company u-blox (Thalwil, Switzerland) that was assembled in a box and harnessed to sheep backs. Testing with 7 sheep across 4 days confirmed RTK rover tracking of sheep movement continuously with accuracy of approximately 20 cm. Individual sheep geo-spatial data were used to observe the sheep that first moved during a grazing period (movement leaders) in the one-hectare test paddock as well as construct social networks. Analysis of the optimum location update rate, with a threshold distance of 20 cm or 30 cm, showed that location sampling at a rate of 1 sample per second for 1 min followed by no samples for 4 min or 9 min, detected social networks as accurately as continuous location measurements at 1 sample every 5 s. The RTK rover acquired precise data on social networks in one sheep flock in an outdoor field environment with sampling strategies identified to extend battery life.
dc.format	Electronic
dc.language	eng
dc.publisher	MDPI AG
dc.relation.ispartof	Sensors
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3390/s21030924
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0301 Analytical Chemistry, 0502 Environmental Science and Management, 0602 Ecology, 0805 Distributed Computing, 0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering
dc.subject.classification	Analytical Chemistry
dc.subject.mesh	Animals
dc.subject.mesh	Biomechanical Phenomena
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Movement
dc.subject.mesh	Sheep
dc.subject.mesh	Social Behavior
dc.subject.mesh	Social Networking
dc.subject.mesh	Switzerland
dc.subject.mesh	Animals
dc.subject.mesh	Biomechanical Phenomena
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Movement
dc.subject.mesh	Sheep
dc.subject.mesh	Social Behavior
dc.subject.mesh	Social Networking
dc.subject.mesh	Switzerland
dc.subject.mesh	Animals
dc.subject.mesh	Sheep
dc.subject.mesh	Social Behavior
dc.subject.mesh	Movement
dc.subject.mesh	Switzerland
dc.subject.mesh	Female
dc.subject.mesh	Social Networking
dc.subject.mesh	Biomechanical Phenomena
dc.title	Validation of Real-Time Kinematic (RTK) Devices on Sheep to Detect Grazing Movement Leaders and Social Networks in Merino Ewes.
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	21
utslib.location.activity	Switzerland
utslib.for	0301 Analytical Chemistry
utslib.for	0502 Environmental Science and Management
utslib.for	0602 Ecology
utslib.for	0805 Distributed Computing
utslib.for	0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Electrical and Data Engineering
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
pubs.consider-herdc	false
dc.date.updated	2022-05-23T05:20:30Z
pubs.issue	3
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	21
utslib.citation.issue	3

Abstract:

Understanding social behaviour in livestock groups requires accurate geo-spatial localisation data over time which is difficult to obtain in the field. Automated on-animal devices may provide a solution. This study introduced an Real-Time-Kinematic Global Navigation Satellite System (RTK-GNSS) localisation device (RTK rover) based on an RTK module manufactured by the company u-blox (Thalwil, Switzerland) that was assembled in a box and harnessed to sheep backs. Testing with 7 sheep across 4 days confirmed RTK rover tracking of sheep movement continuously with accuracy of approximately 20 cm. Individual sheep geo-spatial data were used to observe the sheep that first moved during a grazing period (movement leaders) in the one-hectare test paddock as well as construct social networks. Analysis of the optimum location update rate, with a threshold distance of 20 cm or 30 cm, showed that location sampling at a rate of 1 sample per second for 1 min followed by no samples for 4 min or 9 min, detected social networks as accurately as continuous location measurements at 1 sample every 5 s. The RTK rover acquired precise data on social networks in one sheep flock in an outdoor field environment with sampling strategies identified to extend battery life.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/157634