Framework for Modeling Cattle Behavior through Grazing Patterns Framework for Modeling Cattle Behavior through Grazing Patterns

Abstract

Monitoring cattle behavior in the grazing field has been a perpetual challenge in animal husbandry and for nomadic herdsmen. Various methods have been used in the past to monitor the behavior of cattle and their grazing patterns. Most of the grazing patterns in the nomadic system demand that both the herdsmen and their cattle cover some distance from dawn to dusk searching for greener pasture, this, and unavailability of the greener pasture sometimes result to tiredness and exhaustion which in turn trigger the change in behavior exhibited by the cattle. The economic implication of such a change in the cattle behavior might be catastrophic if not given the necessary attention. Presented in this paper is a framework for modeling the behavior of cattle grazing patterns including monitoring of their movement and the distribution of grazing events in the paddock. The correlation between the pasture condition and the grazing behavior of cattle in the paddock was analyzed. Global positioning system (GPS) monitoring collar for cattle was used to monitor the behavior and to detect the change in grazing patterns of the cattle.