Drone approach parameters leading to lower stress sheep flocking and movement: sky shepherding

Kate J. Yaxley,Keith F. Joiner,Hussein Abbass

doi:10.1038/s41598-021-87453-y

Abstract

Consumer groups are pressuring modern farmers to be more efficient with a focus on better animal welfare. Herding risks farmer lives, involves stress from farm dogs, and if not performed often and intelligently, risks neglect. We examined the behavioural and physiological response of twelve Dorper sheep (Ovies aries) to a drone to adapt mathematical models of shepherding to the new dimension. The model aims to make it feasible for artificial intelligence to improve the autonomy of farmers and pilots in shepherding from the sky. Sheep acclimatised quickly and positively to the drone initiating drive of a flock, regardless of drone speed. Our results demonstrate that stimulating sheep auditory awareness during herding from the sky leads to varying sheep responses. When controlled, these auditory cues can maintain safer distances between the drone and the sheep, offering great potential for the agriculture industry. We outline our ongoing research plans to achieve more autonomous sky shepherding that is compassionate to animal welfare and trusted by farmers and the consuming public.

Highlights

Consumer groups are pressuring modern farmers to be more efficient with a focus on better animal welfare
Heart rate is a generally accepted indicator of stress in sheep that is ideally kept in a range around 163 beats per minute average when being vigorously driven or 262 beats per minute instantaneous for acceptable stress in the presence of working dogs; where, by comparison, the resting heart rate for sheep is around 80 beats per minute[8]
Public videos[10] show there is considerable piloting skill required in using drones close to animals and the ground, that when coupled with the skills and awareness of shepherding and complex farm terrain, could be costly

Summary

Introduction

Consumer groups are pressuring modern farmers to be more efficient with a focus on better animal welfare. Our results demonstrate that stimulating sheep auditory awareness during herding from the sky leads to varying sheep responses. When controlled, these auditory cues can maintain safer distances between the drone and the sheep, offering great potential for the agriculture industry. We outline our ongoing research plans to achieve more autonomous sky shepherding that is compassionate to animal welfare and trusted by farmers and the consuming public. In Australia, like in many developed countries, public consumers are pressuring modern farmers to provide better animal welfare and be more efficient—so-called smart farming[1]. Sheep farmers in countries like New Zealand have resorted to using piloted drones to herd[10] research of the effect on animal stress and other behavioural responses has not been conducted. Mustering cattle with helicopters in the Australian outback, has proven cost-effective despite adfa.edu.au

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