Application of mobile systems with various software products to measuring animal exterior parameters

Abstract

Relevance. Currently, contactless remote measurements of the parameters of the exterior of animals are of considerable interest in the field of breeding and genetics of cattle. They can reduce the risk of dangerous reactions of animals to stress and significantly reduce the time needed to get measurements. We offer a way to obtain information about the size of an animal in real time by obtaining an image using the Structure Sensor 3D depth sensor.Methods. Scientific experimental studies were conducted in 2018–2022 on Black-and-White cows in breeding enterprises of the Udmurt Republic (Russian Federation). The volume of the sample population of animals was about 2000 cows. The animals were evaluated from the 90th to the 150th day of lactation. We have selected the following measurements: height at the withers, chest depth, chest width, hips width, straight length of the hip area, straight length of the trunk, circumference of the cannon bone, length of the rump bone, depth in the lower back, width. These parameters most accurately characterize the dimensions (frame) and hip area of the animal.Results. The analysis of the obtained results indicates the validity of using the Structure Sensor 3D depth sensor as a priority method for obtaining animal measurements. A comparative analysis of contactless methods for obtaining measurements of cows shows that in approximately the same time, it is possible to obtain numerical values of up to 10 exterior parameters. Calibration is performed easily and quickly within 10–15 minutes. The use of the Structure Sensor 3D depth sensor eliminates inaccuracies of obtaining a silhouette, that arise due to the continuous movement of animals, and does not require the creation of a new technique for obtaining measurements of the body of animals that differ in age, size and live weight. Using Structure Sensor 3D, examples were obtained with an accuracy of 1 mm without causing stress in animals.