Estimation of Grazing Activity of Dairy Goats Using Accelerometers and Global Positioning System

Area of Science:

• Animal behavior and physiology
• Precision livestock farming
• Nutritional ecology

Background:

• Electronic sensors offer new insights into animal grazing behavior.
• Understanding dairy goat activity and nutritional needs in Mediterranean woodlands is crucial for sustainable farming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize the grazing activity and protein-energy requirements of dairy goats in a Moroccan Mediterranean woodland.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of GPS collars and accelerometers in monitoring grazing behavior.

Main Methods:

• Utilized Global Positioning System (GPS) collars and three-axis accelerometers on eight dairy goats.
• Collected data over two years across spring, summer, and autumn grazing seasons.
• Assessed grazing activity parameters including time, horizontal, and vertical distances traveled.

Main Results:

• Grazing time was significantly higher in spring compared to summer and autumn (p < 0.001).
• Daily horizontal distance traveled increased from spring to autumn.
• Protein-energy intake was insufficient to meet requirements, particularly during summer.

Conclusions:

• The integration of GPS and accelerometers enhances the understanding of dairy goat grazing in Mediterranean woodlands.
• Findings provide critical data for optimizing feeding strategies and improving performance in semi-extensive goat farming systems.