OREANDA-NEWS. April 27, 2015. Kyocera Corporation (President: Goro Yamaguchi) will commence research and development next month of the world’s first*1 sensing system that can detect the onset of estrus in cows by combining a high-accuracy sensor and wireless networks.

Bovine Estrus Detection System

Livestock producers are increasingly adopting information technology (IT) solutions, including a variety of sensors and communications networks, to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

The bovine estrous cycle occurs over 21-day intervals, with estrus itself lasting only around 12 hours. Accurate detection of estrus is therefore necessary to facilitate optimum mating opportunities. For this reason, the estrus cycle is currently monitored using 24-hour surveillance cameras and acceleration sensors. However, 24-hour monitoring requires significant labor resources, and acceleration sensors are not always accurate. Consequently, avoiding “missed estrus” is a priority among livestock producers, and an area offering great potential for improvement.

To address these issues, Kyocera is developing a revolutionary sensing system to detect indications of estrus in cows by combining a unique high-accuracy sensor and communications networks. Compared with existing systems, Kyocera’s system is more accurate in its high-precision sensing of physical changes in the cow that indicate estrus. The system sends information on indicators of estrus, as well as the anticipated end time of the estrus phase, to designated smartphones and personal computers. This contributes to increased conception rates while easing the labor burden of 24-hour monitoring. In addition to enhanced accuracy, the sensor will provide a greater cost advantage and feature a smaller and lighter design compared with existing systems. Kyocera will continue its research and development of this system, aiming for commercialization in 2017*2.

Image:
Kyocera's bovine estrus sensor (left) and comparison to conventional systems (right)
Kyocera's bovine estrus sensor (left) and comparison to conventional systems (right)

*1 Combining Kyocera’s original sensing technology and communication networks creates the world’s first sensing system to detect indications of bovine estrus without an acceleration sensor. Based on research by Kyocera (as of April 23, 2015).
*2 System specifications and device designs are current at the time of announcement and may change without notice.