Design of a software tool for the analysis of UWB RTLS data: A use case of an application to identify cow oestrus behavioural patterns in a free-stall barn

The need to monitor large herds housed in intensive livestock buildings has enhanced the development of automated monitoring systems. Consistent handling of large amounts of data has created a need to improve the data stream analysis process and to use new tools for analysis and visualisation of information. These tools could be a valuable support for farmers in herd management and for researchers in the analysis of animal behavioural activities. In this context, a software tool for automatic and real-time analysis of cow location data acquired by an ultra-wide band real-time location system (UWB RTLS) in a free-stall barn was designed and developed. The main functionality of this tool was a user-interface feature which provided a visual representation through a colour map of the frequency of two-dimensional cow position data (CowHeatMap). In this functionality, the different colour and colour intensity denoted the difference in sample density at a location. The feasibility of the software tool for visualisation and analysis of UWB data was assessed. A use case of this software tool was carried out to verify its suitability for acquisition of useful information related to the occurrence of cow oestrus. The results showed that a behavioural pattern related to the cow oestrus status could be identified from the CowHeatMap and that the area of the house involved in the motor activity of the cow increased from 16.42% to 45.78% during the cow’s feeding time and from 11.33% to 37.30% during the lying time.