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Electronic Alpha-Detector (detection of mounting activity)
Country: France
Dairy or/and meat sheep: Dairy and meat sheep
Source of information: INRA/Montpellier SupAgro/ Wallace Group (Cardet, FR)
Level of solution:
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Knowledge |
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Practical |
X |
Just Being Tested |
Aim: automated detection of mounting activity by the ram, used for heat detection in ewe and evaluation of ram’s libido.
Description: detection of the ewe (equipped with a RFID transponder) accepting mounting by the ram wearing a leather harness containing an Alpha-Detector.
- RFID transponder near the tail of the ewe, identifying the ewe that accepted mounting.
- Alpha-Detector (Alpha-D®) harness registering the ewe’s transponder number, with the date and time of mounting.
- Alpha-Reader (Alpha-R®) remotely collecting mounting data and analyzing them, in order to edit a list of mounted ewes (that should be mated).
Expected benefits: real-time monitoring of males and females’ sexual behavior. Heat detection to identify ewes that should be mated: planned natural mating or artificial insemination (AI) after male effect. Evaluation of ram’s libido.
Prerequisites and/or limits (knowledge, training, capabilities, cost, management, facilities, equipment, etc.)
- Prerequisites: RFID transponder for ewe identification, Alpha-Detector (Alpha-D®), Alpha Reader (Alpha-R®), computer with a dedicated software for data analysis.
- Limit: still in developmental phase. The RFID transponder must be located near the tail of the ewe.
References:
- Alhamada et al. 2016. Validation of automated electronic oestrus detection in sheep as an alternative to visual observation. Small Ruminant Res., 134: 97–104.
- Alhamada et al. 2017. An automated method for the evaluation of ram libido in real mating conditions. Animal, published online: 03 April 2017, 19
- Bermejo, L. a., Mellado, M., Mata, J., Arévalo, J. R., De Nascimento, L., & Camacho, A. (2010). Factors Affecting Days to Conception, Litter Size and Litter Weight of Intensively Managed Canarian Hair Sheep. Journal of Applied Animal Research, 37(2), 261–264. https://doi.org/10.1080/09712119.2010.9707137
- Gouletsou, P. G., & Fthenakis, G. C. (2010). Clinical evaluation of reproductive ability of rams. Small Ruminant Research, 92(1–3), 45–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.smallrumres.2010.04.005
- O’Doherty, J. V., & Crosby, T. F. (1991). Effect of premating shearing on reproductive performance in ewe lambs after oestrus synchronization. The Journal of Agricultural Science, 116(1), 135. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0021859600076231
- O’Doherty, J. V., & Crosby, T. F. (1990). The effect of progestagen type, PMSG dosage and time of ram introduction on reproductive performance in ewe lambs. Theriogenology, 33(6), 1279–1286. https://doi.org/10.1016/0093-691X(90)90046-V
1. Level End-User Assessment (Partner) |
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Country |
France |
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Partner |
INRA |
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Topic |
Reproduction |
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Issue |
Ewe to ram ratio |
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Solution No/Name |
Electronic Alpha-Detector (detection of mounting activity) |
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Service provider/technicians+vet or farmers |
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Benefit |
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Benefit expected |
Increase productivity |
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System |
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Is the solution suitable for various production systems |
Y |
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If no – for which system |
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Cost |
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What are the asset costs |
1000-10000 |
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What are the maintenance costs |
50-100 |
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Any limits to its applicability |
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Work Load |
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Farmers |
Service provider/tech.-vet-others |
How much time is required to prepare and implement the solution |
1 day – 1 week |
1 day – 1 week |
How many people is needed to implement the solution? |
1 person |
1 person |
Timing |
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How long it takes to get results? |
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How long it takes to see an effect on sheep productivity? |
current production period |
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Equipment/Facility |
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Farmers |
Service provider/technicians-vet-others |
What kind of equipment/tool are necessary? |
RFID transponder for ewe identification, Alpha-Detector, computer with a dedicated software for data analysis. |
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Skill/Knowledge-Training (farmer) |
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Does the solution need any specific skill/knowledge or training? |
Training in the installation of Alphas detectors and the use of data analysis software |
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How much time will be required for training |
<1 day |
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Wider Environment |
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Is there any particular regulation link to the solution? |
Alpha-Detector can be useful in organic sheep farming (for heat detection after male effect, in order to use AI |
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Does the solution need any particular structure or organisation? |
Association with AI and selection centres |
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Other Comments |
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The Alpha detector allows 1) real-time monitoring of males and females’ sexual behavior; 2) heat detection to identify ewes that should be mated: planned natural mating or artificial insemination (AI) after male effect; 3) evaluation of ram’s libido. |