Evaluation of Beef Cattle Temperament Using Video Technology

Abstract

HighlightsVideo processing technology was used to evaluate beef cattle temperament objectively.Multiple beef cattle temperament methods were compared with video processing technology.Potential automatic temperament evaluation systems could be developed based on our video processing method.Abstract. Cattle temperament has potential impacts on growth, carcass characteristics, and meat quality. Both objective and subjective methods have been used to assess temperament, such as temperament score (TS), docility score (DS), flight speed (FS), and exposed eye white percentage (EW). Subjective methods for evaluating cattle temperament are labor-intensive and potentially stressful for the animals. Video technology (VT) has advantages of being noninvasive, automated and remotely operable, and compatible with cloud-based complex algorithms, which facilitates immediate field deployment of results. Because VT has not been reported as a beef cattle temperament evaluation method, the objectives of this study were to (1) verify the feasibility of VT as an evaluation method for beef cattle temperament, and (2) assess the accuracy and reliability of the VT measurements in comparison with TS and DS. A total of 170 calves were video recorded while they were in a squeeze chute; simultaneously, DS and TS measurements of the same calves were conducted. Maximum movement distance (MMD), average movement distance (AMD), and moving frequency (MF) were calculated according to the distances measured from the videos using an algorithm developed in this research. Pearson correlation coefficients among MMD, AMD, MF, TS, and DS were calculated and were 0.264 (p < 0.001) for DS versus TS, 0.438 (p < 0.001) for MF versus TS, 0.017 (p = 0.838) for AMD versus DS, 0.107 (p = 0.192) for AMD versus TS, 0.058 (p = 0.481) for MMD versus DS, and 0.077 (p = 0.350) for MMD versus TS. This study showed that MF could be a good indicator for assessing cattle temperament coupled with VT as a quantitative tool, requiring minimal equipment and thus providing an objective method for selecting cattle with appropriate temperaments. Keywords: Beef cattle, Temperament, Video technology.