Efficiency and efficacy of the continuous body temperature measurement during physiological, hormonal and heat stress in dairy cows

Precision livestock farming is a developing technology that applies the principles of process engineering to livestock farming (Eigenberg et al., 2008; Ruiz-Garcia et al., 2009; Wang et al., 2006). This process is driven by increasing herd size and production per cow as well as the economic value of the cow and increased expenses (especially milk). Emerging public perception to animal well being also stimulates this process. Technological progress advances the development and use of sensors that can supply detailed data about individual cows in the herd regardless of its size. With proper physiological labeling and interpretation this data can be translated into meaningful information which can support management decision making on the level of the individual cow. Continuous monitoring of body temperature (BT), daily activity, and rumination could be promising future methods in precision livestock farming (Eigenberg et al., 2008; Vickers et al., 2010).
Dairy farmers and veterinarians have used BT, most commonly rectal temperatures (RT), to detect changes in the physiological state of cows (i.e. estrus and onset of calving) and to manage febrile disease for many years. Estrus, mastitis, metritis, heat stress, lameness, and the onset of parturition are among the conditions potentially correlated with BT that deviates from normal.
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