By Blake Jackson
Farming can be challenging and fraught with risks, but advancements in technology offer promising solutions. According to Dr. Clara Rial, a postdoctoral researcher, devices like wearable livestock sensors, drones, and video cameras can significantly enhance farm efficiency and productivity.
Originally from Argentina, Rial joined Cornell as an intern and eventually pursued her PhD under Dr. Julio Giordano, a professor of animal science.
After earning her degree, Rial returned as a postdoctoral associate to collaborate with Giordano on two livestock-focused projects associated with the Cornell Agricultural Systems Testbed and Demonstration Site (CAST), which aims to develop a networked ecosystem of technologies for modern farming.
One of Rial's primary projects involves creating a virtual fence system tailored for low- and middle-income countries. This innovative system includes a compact ear tag equipped with geolocation and behavioral sensors to manage animal movements within a defined perimeter.
Mario Herrero, Nancy and Peter Meinig Family Investigator in the life sciences, leads this initiative, partnering with the Bezos Earth Fund.
Rial is working alongside PhD student Hannah James to design the ear tag, noting, “The size is the most challenging thing about this.” Rial explained that while virtual fences are effective, existing models rely on collars, making it essential to develop a smaller, cost-effective alternative that can be widely used.
Testing the device on cows is critical to ensure it is durable and comfortable. Rial is also determining the type of stimulus necessary to keep cows away from restricted areas and plans to integrate an accelerometer to monitor health and reproduction.
Rial is also involved in the ReproPhone project, which simplifies pregnancy detection in dairy cows through an on-farm blood test.
This method eliminates the need for expensive veterinarian visits and provides immediate results, enabling timely hormonal treatments for optimal productivity. As Rial emphasizes, “Sensors have a huge potential that we still have not completely explored.”
Photo Credit: cornell-university
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