Monitoring lidia cattle with GPS-GPRS technology; a study on grazing behaviour and spatial distribution

Main Article Content

Juan Manuel Lomillos Pérez
Marta Elena Alonso de la Varga
Juan José García
Vicente Ramiro Gaudioso Lacasa

Abstract

Veterinaria México OA
ISSN: 2448-6760

Cite this as:

  • Lomillos Pérez JM, Alonso de la Varga ME, García JJ, Gaudioso Lacasa VR. Monitoring lidia cattle with GPS-GPRS technology; a study on grazing behaviour and spatial distribution. Veterinaria México OA. 2017;4(4). doi:10.21753/vmoa.4.4.405.

The behavior of grazing cattle has not been studied as much as farmed animals. In certain breeds, reared in extensive systems, human presence can cause an interruption or modification in their ethological patterns moving away from the person watching them. The use of technologies like a Global Position System and a General Packet Radio Service (GPS-GPRS) allows monitoring bovine animals exploited in extensive systems, providing information in real time about distances traveled, home range grazing areas, frequented territories, behavior patterns, etc. In the present work, GPS-GPRS collars were used to monitor 21 cows of to the lidia cattle breed, with different ages, and from three different herds in the Salamanca province (Spain). The study lasted 8 months, the animals being distributed in enclosures of different dimensions and orographic characteristics, geographic position data being collected every 15 minutes. The proper functioning of the GPS-GPRS devices was proven and home range grazing area for each animal has been calculated, with an average of 56 hectares. A graph of animals’ circadian rhythm with the distances traveled for hours has been developed. A trend was observed to start daily activity hours before dawn, diminishing its activity with the evening and overnight, with a night’s rest phase of about 7 hours. We also report daily distance traveled (3.15 km on average), finding differences depending on age, available space allowance/animal, daylight and the
season. Our results could be of relevance for a better pasture management using enclosures of size that increase the use of all the surface available.

Figure 3. Image of fencing No. 5 positions of the 3 animals monitored. Red, Yellow, Blue.
Keywords:
GPS GPRS spatial distribution behavior grazing extensive systems telemetry remote sensing home range.

Article Details

Author Biography

Juan Manuel Lomillos Pérez, Universidad de León (SPAIN)

Trayectoria científica: el año 2007 inicia su actividad investigadora participando como becario en proyectos conjuntos de la Universidad de León y el Instituto Tecnológico Agrario de Castilla y León (ITACYL). Realiza una Tesina en 2008 y obtiene el Premio Extraordinario de Licenciatura. En 2008 le es concedida una beca pre-doctoral de la Universidad de León y comienza su doctorado participando en varios proyectos relacionados con la gestión de fauna cinegética y ganado vacuno extensivo. Paralelamente realiza tareas docentes en la asignatura de Producción Animal I y II del Departamento de Producción Animal de la Facultad de Veterinaria de León, además de la participación en cursos de extensión universitaria como ponente y director. Además ejerce como Jefe de Estudios en el Colegio Mayor Universitario “San Isidoro” durante los años 2008 a 2012. Doctorado en 2012.

Posteriormente trabaja como técnico de registro farmacéutico (Marzo 2013) y posteriormente como veterinario clínico en el Hospital Veterinario “Sierra de Madrid” (Junio 2013), todo ello sin desvincularse de la Universidad, donde participa como colaborador honorífico del Departamento de Producción Animal. En marzo de 2014 se incorpora a la plantilla del Centro de Vigilancia Sanitaria Veterinaria VISAVET de la Universidad Complutense de Madrid como becario post-doctoral.

Principales logros científico-técnicos: (1) Uso de la tecnología GPS-GPRS para la monitorización de animales en libertad (ref.1); (2) avances en el conocimiento de producción y gestión de la fauna silvestre (refs. 2, 4 Y 11); (3) aportaciones al conocimiento de la fisiología del ejercicio de los bovinos (refs. 7); (4) adaptación de la tecnología fotogramétrica para el estudio zoométrico de animales salvajes (ref. 9).

Líneas de investigación: Su actividad investigadora combina la aplicación de nuevas tecnologías al estudio del ganado bovino extensivo, la producción y gestión de especies cinegéticas (liebre, conejo y perdiz roja) y la sanidad animal en su más amplio sentido.

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