novel approaches to expression and detection of oestrus in dairy cows
novel approaches to expression and detection of oestrus in dairy cows
novel approaches to expression and detection of oestrus in dairy cows
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observed matched with <strong>in</strong>creases <strong>in</strong> height coord<strong>in</strong>ates present <strong>in</strong> the UWB<br />
data, or not identified mounts if the visual observations did not match with<br />
<strong>in</strong>creases <strong>in</strong> height coord<strong>in</strong>ates <strong>in</strong> the UWB data. The UWB observations<br />
were expressed as a percentage <strong>of</strong> the <strong>to</strong>tal number <strong>of</strong> mounts visually<br />
observed <strong>and</strong> recorded (m<strong>in</strong>us UWB error; where data was miss<strong>in</strong>g<br />
because coord<strong>in</strong>ates were not recorded by UWB, signal quality was poor<br />
therefore accuracy had deteriorated or when the unit had turned <strong>of</strong>f) <strong>to</strong><br />
determ<strong>in</strong>e the percentage accuracy <strong>of</strong> UWB.<br />
5.2.6.4.2 Script Analysis<br />
It was clear from analysis <strong>of</strong> UWB data that cow positions <strong>and</strong> elevations <strong>in</strong><br />
height dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>oestrus</strong> were recorded which prompted development <strong>of</strong> a<br />
script <strong>to</strong> au<strong>to</strong>matically analyse UWB data <strong>and</strong> declare mount<strong>in</strong>g <strong>and</strong><br />
st<strong>and</strong><strong>in</strong>g events occurr<strong>in</strong>g by <strong>in</strong>dividual <strong>cows</strong>. Script 1 was developed <strong>to</strong><br />
take <strong>in</strong><strong>to</strong> account the average dimensions <strong>of</strong> a Holste<strong>in</strong> Friesian <strong>dairy</strong> cow<br />
<strong>and</strong> thus the relative position between 2 <strong>cows</strong> whilst one s<strong>to</strong>od <strong>to</strong> be<br />
mounted by another. Firstly data were filtered <strong>to</strong> remove any outly<strong>in</strong>g<br />
values above <strong>and</strong> below the set height limits for a mount (m<strong>in</strong>imum; 1.3m<br />
<strong>and</strong> maximum; 2.6m) <strong>and</strong> <strong>to</strong> remove data <strong>of</strong> poor quality (