This post is also available in: French Spanish Italian Turkish Romanian

 

 

{“preview_thumbnail”:”/sites/default/files/styles/video_embed_wysiwyg_preview/public/video_thumbnails/gdqGr6JcVPo.jpg?itok=R2y3ANyX”,”video_url”:”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gdqGr6JcVPo”,”settings”:{“responsive”:1,”width”:”854″,”height”:”480″,”autoplay”:1},”settings_summary”:[“Embedded Video (Responsive, autoplaying).”]}

 

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:

 

Knowledge

 

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)

     

Country

France

Partner

INRA

Topic

Reproduction

Issue

Ewe to ram ratio

Solution No/Name

Electronic Alpha-Detector (detection of mounting activity)

Service provider/technicians+vet or farmers

Benefit

Benefit expected

Increase productivity
Fertility
Better labour organisation

System

Is the solution suitable for various production systems

Y

 

If no – for which system

 

 

Cost

What are the asset costs

1000-10000

What are the maintenance costs

50-100

Any limits to its applicability

 

     

Work Load

 

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

How long it takes to get results?

 

How long it takes to see  an effect on sheep productivity?

current production period

Equipment/Facility

 

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.

Skill/Knowledge-Training (farmer)

Does the solution need any specific skill/knowledge or training?

  Training in the installation of Alphas detectors and the use of data analysis software

How much time will be required for training

<1 day

Wider Environment

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

Does the solution need any particular structure or organisation?

 Association with AI and selection centres

Other Comments

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.

 

This post is also available in: French Spanish Italian Turkish Romanian