Enhancing Sheep Health and Welfare Through Sensor Technologies: An Update of Current New Zealand Research

The study of farm animal behaviour often relies on labour‐intensive observations, which can be impractical in extensive systems. Advances in technology (e.g. accelerometers and global positioning satellite (GPS) devices) can be used to record behaviours frequently, long‐term and remotely. Monitoring behaviour of livestock, in combination with other key information, such as environmental factors (e.g. weather, spore counts), feed quality and quantity, and animal performance, can be used to gain a deeper understanding of animal health and welfare. Changes in behaviour may be used as early warning indicators for important welfare and productivity issues, such as facial eczema and gastrointestinal parasites. This article describes current research where accelerometer sensors have demonstrated high accuracies (>80%) in tracking behaviours like grazing, ruminating and lying, and have successfully identified behavioural changes associated with gastrointestinal parasites. Research currently being undertaken in New Zealand to evaluate the ability of accelerometers and other technologies, such as acoustic sensors and GPS, to record measures associated with facial eczema, heat stress (e.g. respiration rate) and maternal behaviour of sheep, will be discussed. In summary, technologies including the use of accelerometers have the potential to guide management decisions and ultimately improve animal health, welfare and production efficiency on‐farm.