Assessment of Cattle Winter Feeding Using Internal and External Accelerometer Data

Extreme cold temperatures caused by disrupted polar vortexes subject beef cattle to a stressful environment, leading to a diversion of energy from cattle growth or fertility to thermoregulatory mechanisms that increase heat production. We hypothesize that simultaneous selection of both heat and cold tolerance could be possible, which might be essential for the volatile effects of climate change. Accelerometer and temperature data provided by internal temperature boluses (Moonsyst) and virtual fencing collars (Gallagher) will enable us to assess winter cold tolerance among different cross breeds of winter adapted cattle (Galloway, Highland, Angus).

Faculty Supervisor:

John Church

Student:

Partner:

Universidade Estadual Paulista "Julio de Mesquita Filho"

Discipline:

Life Sciences

Sector:

Agriculture and Food; Environmental Science and Technology

University:

Thompson Rivers University

Program: