Estimation of bodyweight from body measurements and determination of body measurements on Limousin cattle using digital image analysis

The objective of this study was to predict bodyweight and estimate body measurements of Limousin cattle using digital image analysis (DIA). Body measurements including body length, wither height, chest depth, and hip height of cattle were determined both manually (by measurements stick) and by using DIA. Body area was determined by using DIA. The images of Limousin cattle were taken while cattle were standing in a squeeze chute by a digital camera and analysed by image analysis software to obtain body measurements of each animal. While comparing the actual and predicted body measurements, the accuracy was determined as 98% for wither height, 97% for hip height, 94% for chest depth and 90.6% for body length. Regression analysis between body area and bodyweight yielded an equation with R-2 of 61.5%. The regression equation, which included all body traits, resulted in an R-2 value of 88.7%. The results indicated that DIA can be used for accurate prediction of body measurements and bodyweight of Limousin cattle.