DEVELOPMENT OF A LIVESTOCK FEEDING BEHAVIOR MONITORING SYSTEM

Feeding behavior contains valuable information that can be used for various needs, including managing livestock, identifying animals that are sick, and determining genetic differences within a herd. Feeding behavior initially was recorded only in individual or small group pens. Currently, there are commercially available systems that determine feeding behavior and feed intake; however, these systems limit access to the feeding stations, thus changing feeding behavior. A system was developed using radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology and a series of multiplexers to determine individual animal feeding behavior in an industry-type feeding system. This system has been applied to both feedlot cattle and grow-finish swine. Validation of the cattle system determined that it was in agreement with independent video monitoring equipment 98.3% of the time, and the swine system was in agreement 98.7% of the time. Both systems have proven to be rugged and reliable in livestock industry settings.