EP3876708A1

EP3876708A1 - Monitoring of the well-being and/or comfort of a livestock animal

Info

Publication number: EP3876708A1
Application number: EP19798084.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Viktor TOLDOV; Roman IGUAL PEREZ
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2018-11-09
Filing date: 2019-11-08
Publication date: 2021-09-15
Also published as: WO2020094825A1; FR3088168A1; FR3088168B1

Abstract

The present invention concerns an electronic system (100) for monitoring the well-being of a livestock animal (A) such as a bovine, the system (100) comprising: a) a portable measurement module (10) positioned on the animal (A) and comprising: - a temperature probe (11) for measuring the temperature of the ambient air on the animal (A), denoted T_{vac_m}, and - a humidity sensor (12) for measuring a humidity of the ambient air on the animal (A), denoted HR_{vac_m}; and b) a central processing unit (20) remote from the animal (A) and comprising: - a generation circuit (22) configured for collecting information relating to the temperature and humidity measured on the animal (A) and for generating, according to the collected information, at least one temperature datum (DT) containing a piece of information relating to the measured temperature T_{vac_m} and at least one humidity datum (DH) containing a piece of information relating to the measured humidity HR_{vac_m}; - a processing circuit (23) for processing the temperature (DT) and humidity (DH) data in order to calculate an actual relative humidity HR felt by the animal; and - a processor (24) configured for determining a comfort parameter associated with the well-being of the animal (A) according to the calculated actual relative humidity HR felt.

Description

MONITORING THE WELFARE AND / OR COMFORT OF A BREEDING ANIMAL

Technical field and prior art

The present invention relates to the field of animal husbandry.

The present invention relates more particularly to monitoring the welfare of farm animals.

One of the objects of the present invention relates to a method and a computer system making it possible to monitor at least one farm animal such as for example a bovine in order to assess its state of comfort, its behavior and / or its state of well-being. .

By behavior is meant here detectable behavior states such as for example the following states: rumination, ingestion, rest, activity, reproduction period, etc.

The present invention will thus find numerous advantageous applications in breeders and in particular cattle breeders by allowing them to assess the state or states of comfort and / or well-being of their animals in order to best manage the breeding and its productivity.

Determining and analyzing the behavior of farm animals is of real economic importance in farm performance.

For cattle farming, for example, the detection of high activity states of animals makes it easier to detect periods conducive to reproduction (or heat).

It will be understood here that the detection of a heat period in an animal helps the farmer in his decision concerning the optimal periods of insemination.

The detection of certain other states of animal behavior such as for example ingestion, rumination or rest can also be of interest to the breeder and help him to draw conclusions related to feeding, health and animal productivity.

Comfort and / or well-being states also have an influence on animal health. The individual circadian rhythms for each animal determine its behavioral profile. The identification of this profile is essential to anticipate animal health disorders, for example by detecting anomalies in their individual behavior.

The comfort and well-being of a farm animal therefore have an essential aspect in the life of the animal, these states of comfort and / or well-being being directly associated with health and / or performance. of the animal. In the case of dairy cows, for example, the comfort level of the animals is directly linked to the quality of the milk and the quantity produced per day.

For a breeder, the continuous monitoring of this state of comfort of the animals also makes it possible to carry out a good prevention of diseases and health disorders both at the individual level (per animal) and at the scale of the herd (per farm) .

Monitoring comfort status contributes to economic improvement in operations and lower costs for veterinary services.

We also know that the animal's living environment is closely linked to this state of comfort and well-being.

It is therefore important to assess the state of comfort on the basis of the estimation of one's feelings based on environmental parameters such as, for example, the perceived brightness, the temperature and / or the ambient humidity. We also speak of thermal stress, such stress which can be assessed according to the temperature and the ambient humidity felt by the animal.

We know that heat stress can cause a deterioration in the animal's state of health and, in the case of dairy cows, a decrease in daily milk production.

Solutions allow today to evaluate certain aspects linked to animal behavior.

We know for example the document US2015351885 A1 which discloses a method for detecting heat in animals.

The documents US2016165851 A1, US2017231199 A1 or also WO2016086248 A1 disclose solutions for determining the states of animal behavior.

However, the solutions known so far only allow certain states of the animal to be observed without explaining the possible cause or the impact on well-being and / or comfort.

In addition, the known solutions are essentially based on the analysis of movements and only take into account mechanical parameters of the behavior of the animal.

In the state of the art, there are other solutions which propose to assess the level of thermal comfort of an animal (for example US 2012/068848 A1 and US 2010/282184 A1) based on measurements. direct temperature and relative humidity in the area near the animal through sensors on board a device carried by said animal.

These documents US 2012/068848 A1 and US 2010/282184 A1 mainly concern domestic animals and not farm animals. The Applicants observe that the solutions proposed in these documents are not suitable for farm animals.

In fact, in the case of a farm animal such as for example a bovine, the values of direct measurements of temperature and / or humidity of the air in the zone close to the animal provided by sensors embedded in the device, are very imprecise because they are strongly impacted (distorted) by the body temperature of the animal.

In practice, it can be seen that these direct measurement values are very different from the actual values of temperature and air humidity in the area close to the animal. These temperature differences are mainly caused by the warming of the sensor by the animal's body. It is known that the relative humidity of the air depends on the air temperature. Likewise, the inaccuracy of the direct measurement of air temperature in the zone close to the animal leads to an inaccuracy in the value of the direct measurement of the relative humidity in this zone.

For these reasons, the techniques proposed in the state-of-the-art solutions for recovering direct measurements of temperature and air humidity in the area close to the animal provided by the sensors on board the device worn by the animal is not reliable for farm animals such as cattle. These techniques therefore remain inappropriate and unusable in the field of the present application for the assessment of the state of comfort and / or well-being of a farm animal such as for example a bovine.

The Applicant therefore submits that the existing solutions to date are not fully satisfactory and do not allow the state of well-being and / or comfort of the animal to be assessed in sufficient detail.

Object and summary of the present invention

The object of the present invention is to improve the situation described above.

The present invention therefore aims to remedy the various drawbacks mentioned above by proposing a simple and inexpensive solution which makes it possible to precisely determine the state of well-being and / or comfort of an animal.

To this end, the object of the present invention relates, according to a first aspect, to a process for monitoring the well-being and / or comfort of a farm animal such as, for example, a bovine.

Advantageously, the method according to the present invention is implemented by computer means and comprises the following steps: a) a first measurement during which a temperature of the ambient air on said animal, noted T _vac _m (as explained in the preamble, is measured using a temperature probe positioned on the farm animal) the value of this ambient air temperature measurement is impacted in practice by the animal's body temperature);

b) a second measurement during which a humidity of the ambient air on the animal is measured using a humidity sensor positioned on the animal, denoted HR _{vac m} (as explained in the preamble, the value of this measurement of the humidity of the ambient air is impacted in practice by the body temperature of the animal);

c) a collection of information relating to the temperature and humidity measured on said animal by a central unit in order to respectively generate a temperature data item containing information relating to the measured temperature T _vac _m and a humidity data item containing relative information at the measured humidity HR _{vac m} ;

d) a processing by the central processing unit of the temperature and humidity data to calculate, as a function of the temperature T _{vac m} measured, of the humidity measured HR _{vac m} and of a real temperature T _{vac r} felt by l animal (i.e. here a temperature not impacted by the animal's body temperature which is the temperature actually felt by the animal), an actual relative humidity, noted RH (here, this actual relative humidity is the actual relative humidity felt by the animal - this humidity being that in an area close to said animal); and

e) a determination of a comfort parameter associated with the well-being of the animal as a function of the actual relative humidity RH calculated during the treatment step.

Thus, this succession of technical steps, characteristic of the present invention, makes it possible to determine a comfort parameter associated with the well-being of the animal; this determination is made on the basis of a precise estimate of the actual relative humidity felt by the animal, this estimate being carried out on the basis of measurements of values not impacted by the body temperature of the animal.

Advantageously, the actual temperature T _{vac r} felt by the animal is approximated by a reference temperature Ti; _xl which corresponds to an ambient air temperature measured at a determined reference point. Alternatively, the animal is housed in a stable.

According to this variant, the reference temperature Ti; _xl of the ambient air corresponds to a temperature measured beforehand at a reference point located inside the barn.

In another variant, the animal is left in pasture in the open air outside a barn (for example in a meadow).

According to this other variant, the reference temperature of the ambient air corresponds to a temperature of the ambient air measured beforehand at a reference point located outside the barn.

Advantageously, it can be provided that, during the treatment step, the calculation of the actual relative humidity RH felt by said animal comprises:

a) a first calculation of the density of water vapor near said animal, noted p_vac; and

b) a second calculation of the maximum possible density of water vapor for the temperature T _vac _ _r , denoted p_max.

Preferably, the actual relative humidity RH felt by the animal is calculated according to the following formula:

Preferably, the density of water vapor near said animal p_vac is calculated according to the following formula:

217 e_vac

p_vac =

(Tvac_m + 273.15)

Preferably, the maximum possible density of water vapor p_max for the temperature T _{vac r} is calculated according to the following formula:

217 E_vac_r

^P - ^{maX =} (T _{vac r} + 273.15)

where e_vac and E_vac_r correspond respectively to the partial pressure of the vapor in the air next to the animal and the maximum possible pressure of the vapor in the air for the temperature T _vac _ _r .

As indicated previously, the actual temperature T _vac _r felt by the animal can be different from the temperature of the ambient air on said animal, T _vac _ _m and can be approximated by the reference temperature Ti; _xl . Advantageously, the maximum possible pressure E_vac_r of steam in the air for the temperature T _vac _ _r. is calculated according to the following formula:

E_vac_r = exp when T _{vac r} is between -60 ° C and 0 ° C;

OR

E_vac_r = exp when T _{vac r} is between 0 ° C and 83 ° C.

Alternatively, the maximum possible pressure E_vac_r of the vapor in the air for the temperature T _{vac r} can be determined from correspondence tables known from the literature.

Advantageously, the partial pressure of the vapor in the air next to the e_vac animal is calculated according to the following formula:

where E_vac_m corresponds to the maximum possible pressure of the vapor in the air next to the animal for the temperature T _vac-m .

In an advantageous embodiment of the present invention, the step of determining a comfort parameter associated with the well-being of the animal comprises a calculation of a temperature-humidity index, denoted THI, as a function of the actual temperature felt by said animal T _{vac r} and actual relative humidity RH.

Preferably, the THI index is calculated according to the following formula:

THI = (l.8 T _{vac r} + 32) - [(0.55 - 0.0055 HR) x (l.8 T _{vac r - 26.8l} )]

Advantageously, the method according to the present invention comprises a third measurement during which a luminosity perceived by said animal is measured using a photosensitive sensor positioned on said animal, said perceived luminosity being taken into consideration in the evaluation of the animal welfare and / or comfort. In other words, it is understood here that the brightness perceived by the animal and measured during the third measurement step is taken into account when determining the comfort parameter associated with the well-being of said animal.

The Applicants have in fact highlighted a direct incidence of the brightness perceived by the animal with the well-being and / or the comfort thereof. A mathematical model has therefore been developed here by the Applicants to calculate a comfort parameter taking into account this brightness.

Advantageously, the method according to the present invention comprises a fourth measurement during which it is measured using a motion sensor positioned on said animal the activity of said animal, said activity of the animal being taken into consideration in assessing the welfare of the animal.

As above, it is understood here that the activity of the animal measured during the fourth measurement is taken into account when determining the comfort parameter associated with the well-being of said animal.

This measurement can also make it possible to determine the states of behavior of the animal such as for example the following states: rumination, ingestion, rest, medium activity, high activity, reproduction period.

We understand here in the same way that the animal's activity is directly linked to its state of health and well-being. Also, the Applicants have determined another mathematical model for calculating a comfort parameter taking into account the activity of the animal.

Correlatively, the object of the present invention relates according to a second aspect to a computer program which includes instructions suitable for the execution of the steps of the method as described above, this in particular when said computer program is executed by at least one processor.

Such a computer program can use any programming language, and be in the form of source code, object code, or an intermediate code between a source code and an object code, such as in a partially compiled form, or in any other desirable form.

Likewise, the object of the present invention relates according to a third aspect to a recording medium readable by a computer on which a computer program is recorded comprising instructions for the execution of the steps of the method as described above. .

On the one hand, the recording medium can be any entity or device capable of storing the program. For example, the support may include a storage means, such as a ROM memory, for example a CD-ROM or a ROM memory of the microelectronic circuit type, or also a magnetic recording means or a hard disk.

On the other hand, this recording medium can also be a transmissible medium such as an electrical or optical signal, such a signal being able to be routed via an electrical or optical cable, by conventional or hertzian radio or by self-directed laser beam or by other ways. The computer program according to the invention can in particular be downloaded from a network of the Internet type.

Alternatively, the recording medium can be an integrated circuit in which the computer program is incorporated, the integrated circuit being adapted to execute or to be used in the execution of the process in question.

The object of the present invention relates according to a fourth aspect to an electronic system for monitoring the well-being and / or comfort of a farm animal such as for example a bovine.

According to the invention, the system comprises computer means configured for the implementation of the steps of the method described above.

More particularly, the system according to the present invention comprises:

a portable measurement module positioned on said animal and comprising:

• a temperature probe configured to measure a temperature of the ambient air on said animal, denoted T _vac _ _m ; and

• a humidity sensor configured to measure a humidity of the ambient air on said animal, denoted HR _vac _ _m ;

a central unit remote from the animal and comprising:

A generation circuit configured to collect information relating to the temperature and humidity measured on said animal and to generate as a function of said collected information at least one temperature data item containing information relating to the temperature T _{vac m} measured and at least humidity data containing information relating to the measured humidity HR _vac m _?

A circuit for processing said temperature and humidity data to calculate, as a function of the measured temperature T _vac m, of the measured humidity HR _{vaC m} and of a real temperature T _{vac r} felt by the animal, a actual RH relative humidity; and

• a processor configured to determine a comfort parameter associated with the well-being of said animal as a function of the calculated actual relative RH relative humidity.

Thus, the object of the present invention, by its various functional and structural aspects described above, makes it possible to determine with good precision the state of well-being of an animal and in particular a farm animal. Brief description of the attached figures

Other characteristics and advantages of the present invention will emerge from the description below, with reference to the appended FIGS. 1 to 5 which illustrate an embodiment thereof devoid of any limiting nature and in which:

FIG. 1 schematically represents a sectional view of a portable measurement module of the collar type positioned around the neck of a cattle, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 represents a schematic view of a system for monitoring the welfare of a farm animal such as a cattle according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 represents an animal equipped around its neck with a portable measurement module of the collar type according to FIG. 1;

Figure 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a portion of a measurement module according to Figure 1;

FIG. 5 represents a flowchart illustrating the different steps of the method for monitoring animal welfare according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed description according to an advantageous exemplary embodiment

A process for monitoring the welfare of farm animals and the system associated with it will now be described in what follows with reference to Figures 1 to 5.

Keeping animals in good health is essential for the efficiency of the activity associated with the breeding of animals, in particular cattle.

Changes in the behavior of each animal may be linked to developing health conditions. However, these changes can also be caused by the deterioration of their comfort status (change in temperature and / or humidity, insufficient amount of light).

Changing the animal's diet can also affect behavior.

It is therefore desirable to be able to distinguish the real cause of a change in behavior in an animal to allow the farmer to make the right decision (for example: need or not to call a veterinarian) and thus manage his breeding of the most efficient way. One of the objectives of the present invention is therefore to be able to provide the farm manager with the information necessary to be able not only to observe the current behavior of each animal, but also to facilitate the determination of the cause of the evolution of the behavior.

The solutions developed so far do not allow the level of animal welfare and / or comfort to be assessed on an individual scale and do not take into account measurements of environmental parameters such as, for example, the THI ( temperature-humidity) or the light perception for each animal independently.

There are also no solutions that offer to analyze the individual behavior of the cow in the long term in order to define the individual behavioral profile of each cow.

These various objectives are achieved by the invention described below.

In the example described here, there is a portable measurement module 10 in the form of a collar 10 positioned around the neck C of an animal A, here a cow (see FIG. 3).

In this example, the measurement module 10 is instrumented with a plurality of sensors including in particular a temperature probe 11 and a humidity sensor 12.

Here, the temperature probe 11 is configured to measure during a measurement step S1 a temperature of the ambient air on the animal A; this measured temperature is noted here

Tvac m

The humidity sensor 12 is in turn configured to measure during a step S2 the humidity of the ambient air on the animal A; this measured humidity is noted here HR _vac _ _m .

The humidity sensor 12 can be combined with the temperature sensor 11 and integrated into the same electronic component.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of implementation of the collar 10 with a housing 10 ’comprising in its center a receptacle lOa’ capable of receiving a cylindrical element 18a. This element 18a has on the front facade an orifice 18b allowing access to the bottom of said housing 10 ’along a passage channel l8c. The bottom of said housing 10 ’comprises an electronic card 19 on which the sensors 11 and 12 are positioned in an enclosure forming a compartment 19 ′ for receiving the sensors 11 and 12.

The channel 18b therefore opens into this enclosure 19 '. This makes it possible to carry out a measurement of the temperature T _{vac m} and of the humidity RH _{vac m} .

In this example, sealing elements 18d are also provided between the enclosure 19 'and the rest of the housing. There is also provided in said collar 10 a power source 15 of the battery type and a microcontroller 16 of the type for example MCU.

Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of the element 18a. This element can be replaced easily if necessary to be repositioned in the receptacle 10a ’of the housing 10’.

We know that humidity is caused by the presence of water vapor in the air.

Two physical values can be cited to assess the humidity level of air: absolute humidity (expressed, for example, in grams per cubic meter) and relative humidity (expressed in percent).

Absolute humidity shows what mass of water in the form of vapor is contained in a given volume of air. Except in extreme cases (for example, temperature change by passing through a dew point), this value remains invariable according to the temperature (if the air temperature changes, the same amount of water (number of grams) remains in the air as vapor).

Relative humidity shows the level (percentage) of air vapor saturation. Indeed, the air cannot accommodate the infinite quantity of water. There is a well-defined limit of the mass of water vapor per given volume of air. This limit depends on the air temperature.

The lower the air temperature, the less water it can contain. Indeed, when the air temperature drops sharply, part of the vapor (gas) becomes liquid water which is no longer part of the air and, therefore, no longer participates in the constitution of the humidity of the air. 'air. This means that the value of relative humidity (percentage) changes, in general, depending on the temperature of the ambient air unlike absolute humidity (number of grams of water vapor per cubic meter of the air), which remains unchanged (in general).

The important parameter for estimating the level of comfort and well-being of animals (and humans) is relative humidity (not absolute humidity).

The thermal comfort of the animal is therefore linked to the couple of air temperature and relative humidity felt by the animal.

The sensor 12 is capable of directly measuring the relative humidity.

However, the temperature and relative humidity values measured during steps S1 and S2 may be imprecise.

Indeed, the temperature of the air at the location of the sensor 11 is generally higher than the real temperature of the ambient air because the sensor 11 is heated by the body of the animal A. In the same way, the value of the relative humidity RH _{vac m} measured by the sensor 12 can be different from the true value of the relative humidity RH of the air around the animal (since the air is generally more cold).

The concept underlying the present invention is therefore to determine the actual relative humidity RH felt by animal A by calculating the value of the absolute humidity (which, in general, does not depend on the temperature, as explained previously), this to avoid the impact of body temperature on the measurement.

In the example described here, the temperature felt by the animal is approximated by the temperature of the ambient air outside the animal, denoted T _Ext .

The information collected by the sensors 11 and 12 during the measurements S1 and S2 are therefore collected by a central unit 20 remote from the animal A during a step S3; this collection S3 is carried out via wireless communication means 17 and 21 of the type, for example radio frequency means or the like.

The central unit 20 includes a generation circuit 22 which, during a step S4, generates from the information T _{vac m} and HR _{vac m} respectively a temperature data DT containing information relating to the measured temperature T _vac _m and a data DH humidity with information on the measured humidity HR _vac m.

In the example described here, there is then provided a treatment S5 by a processing circuit 23 of these data of temperature DT and humidity DH to calculate, as a function of the temperature T _{vac m} measured, of the humidity measured HR _{vac m} and a reference temperature Ti; _xl of ambient air measured at a determined reference point, a real relative humidity RH felt by animal A.

The ambient air temperature Ti; _xl can be the ambient air temperature for animals A which are inside the farm building.

This reference temperature T _Ext can be measured by another temperature sensor 24 which is located in the building.

Alternatively, it can also correspond to a reference temperature of the ambient air for animals A which are outside the building. In this case, this probe is outside. It will be noted with the reference 24 ’.

It is therefore necessary to provide two different temperature probes 24 and 24 'to measure the temperature of the air T _Ext . The system 100 can distinguish whether the animal is outside or inside a building, for example, by measuring the brightness by the light sensor 13 integrated in the collar 10.

In the example described here, the calculation of the actual relative humidity RH felt by animal A is carried out as follows.

The processing circuit 23 is presented as a calculator and performs a first calculation S5_l of the density of water vapor near said animal, denoted p_vac, and a second calculation S5_2 of the maximum density of water vapor at the reference point , denoted p_max.

During the first calculation S5_l, the density of water vapor near the animal p_vac is calculated according to the following formula:

217 e_vac

^P - ^{VaC =} (T _{vac m} + 273.15)

During the second calculation S5_2, the maximum density of water vapor at the reference point p_max is calculated according to the following formula:

217 E_ext

^P - ^{maX =} (T _Ext + 273.15)

where e_vac and E_ext correspond respectively to the partial pressure of the vapor in the air next to animal A and the maximum pressure of the vapor in the air at the reference point at the reference temperature TExt.

In this example, the maximum pressure E_ext of the vapor in the air at the reference point at the reference temperature T _Ext. is calculated according to the following formula:

° C; or vs.

Still in this example, the partial pressure e_vac of the vapor in the air next to animal A is calculated according to the following formula:

HR _V ac_m E_vac_m

e- ^{vac =} TÜÜ%

where E_vac_m corresponds to the maximum pressure of the vapor in the air next to animal A.

We therefore know how to calculate the values for p_vac and p_max.

Knowing p_vac and p_max, we can calculate real HR according to the equation below:

p vac

HR = - - 100%

p_max In this way, the circuit 23 can calculate the actual relative humidity RH felt by the animal A.

The present invention proposes to determine individually for each animal the state of behavior of the animals, their level of activity and their feeling of environmental parameters.

Thus, once the processing circuit 23 has determined the actual relative humidity RH felt by said animal, the processor 25 of the central unit 20 determines during a step S6 a comfort parameter associated with the well-being of the animal A as a function of the relative humidity RH actually felt.

This parameter is calculated to assess the welfare of the animal.

In this example, the parameter corresponds to the temperature-humidity index or THI which is a function of the air temperature felt by the animal Ti; _xl (here, we take the case where Tvac m T _Ext ) and the actual relative RH calculated humidity.

This index is calculated by the processor 25 calculated according to the following formula:

THI = (i.8 T _Ext + 32) - [(q.55 - 0.0055 HR) x (l ⁸ T _Ext - 26.81)]

Combining all the measured and calculated information makes it possible to detect health disorders, to identify periods of ovulation (heat) and to estimate the level of animal welfare in a more reliable and precise way than the existing solutions.

Environmental parameters, such as the brightness measured by the brightness sensor 13 (photosensitive sensor) integrated in the collar and the THI index (based on measurements related to ambient temperature and ambient humidity) perceived by each animal A thus allow to estimate the comfort level of the animals.

It has in fact been observed that the temperature-humidity index or THI and the brightness perceived by animals during the day have a direct impact on the quantity and quality of the milk produced by a cow.

Thus, a dairy cow which is in a “non-comfortable” state at the thermal level (thermal stress), for example a THI value too low or too high, can lose up to 30% of the daily milk production.

Exceeding the THI threshold results in losses of 2.4% of production by each unit of THI beyond the critical threshold.

The heat stress that cattle can undergo can also lead to disruption of ovulation periods and a greater development of diseases.

The Applicant therefore submits that the yield from cattle holdings is directly dependent on the thermal comfort of the animals. In addition, the amount of light perceived by the animal during the day has a direct impact on the hormonal regulation of the animal. For example, increasing the amount of light per day leads to a stimulation of ingestion and therefore of milk production. The decrease in the daily amount of light promotes the animal's immunity.

The possibility of measuring environmental parameters individually makes it possible to optimize the profitability of the farm and improve the health of the herd.

There is also provision in the collar for the integration of an accelerometer 14 or equivalent to measure the activity of the animal and determine the states of behavior of the animal such as for example the states of rumination, ingestion, rest, medium activity. , high activity, breeding period.

Thanks to this additional information, the processor 25 of the central processing unit 20 is able to analyze the behavior of animals A over the long term in order to determine the individual behavioral profile of each animal.

In this example, the processor 25 can integrate learning algorithms of the “machine learning” and / or “deep learning” type (Artificial Intelligence) to produce more information related to changes in activity and to the overall state of the animal.

In other words, the information in particular relating to the behavioral states detected and / or the level of perceived brightness and / or the comfort parameter associated with the well-being of said animal as a function of the actual relative humidity RH calculated during the processing step S5 are used by machine learning and / or deep learning algorithms to produce more information related to changes in activity and the overall condition of the animal

One of the advantages of the present invention is thus its capacity to provide information on the possible causes of change of activity, and, therefore, the assurance of assistance to the decision of the breeder in a more precise way than in the case of existing solutions.

It should be observed that this detailed description relates to a particular embodiment of the present invention, but that in no case this description does not have any limiting character with the object of the invention; on the contrary, it aims to remove any possible inaccuracy or misinterpretation of the claims which follow.

It should also be observed that the reference signs put in brackets in the claims which follow are in no way limiting; the sole purpose of these signs is to improve the intelligibility and understanding of the claims which follow, as well as the scope of the protection sought.

Claims

1. Method for monitoring the well-being and / or comfort of a farm animal (A) such as, for example, a bovine, said method implemented by computer means comprising the following steps:

a) a first measurement (S1) during which a temperature probe (11) positioned on said farm animal (A) is measured, a temperature of the ambient air on said animal (A) , denoted T _vac _m;

b) a second measurement (S2) during which a humidity sensor (12) positioned on said animal (A) is measured, a humidity of the ambient air on said animal (A), noted HR _{vac m} ;

c) a collection (S3) of information relating to the temperature and humidity measured on said animal (A) by a central unit (20) to generate (S4) respectively a temperature data item (DT) containing information relating to the temperature T _{vac m} measured and a humidity datum (DH) containing information relating to the measured humidity HR _vac _ _m ;

d) a processing (S5) by said central unit (20) of said temperature (DT) and humidity (DH) data to calculate, as a function of the measured temperature T _{vac m} , of the measured humidity HR _{vac m} and an actual temperature, noted T _vac _ _r , felt by the animal, an actual relative humidity felt by said animal, noted HR; and

e) a determination (S6) of a comfort parameter associated with the well-being of said animal as a function of the actual relative humidity RH calculated during the treatment step (S5).

2. Method according to claim 1, in which the real temperature T _{vac r} felt by the animal is estimated by a measurement of a reference temperature Ti; _xl of ambient air measured at a determined reference point

3. Method according to claim 2, the animal (A) being sheltered in a stable, in which said reference temperature Ti; _xl of the ambient air corresponds to a temperature measured beforehand at a reference point located inside said stable.

4. Method according to claim 2, said animal (A) being left in pasture in the open air outside a stable, in which said reference temperature Ti; _xl of the ambient air corresponds to an ambient air temperature measured beforehand at a reference point located outside said stable.

5. Method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, in which, during the treatment step (S5), the calculation of the actual relative humidity RH felt by said animal (A) comprises:

c) a first calculation (S5_l) of the density of water vapor near said animal, noted p_vac; and

d) a second calculation (S5_2) of the maximum possible density of water vapor for the temperature T _vac _ _r , denoted p_max.

6. Method according to claim 5, in which the actual relative humidity RH felt by said animal (A) is calculated according to the following formula:

p vac

HR = - - 100%

p_max

7. Method according to claim 5 or 6,

in which the density of water vapor near said animal p_vac is calculated according to the following formula:

217 e_vac

^P - ^{VaC =} (T _{vac m} + 273.15)

and,

in which the maximum possible density of water vapor p_max for the temperature T _{vac r} is calculated according to the following formula:

217 E_vac_r

^P - ^{maX =} (T _{vac r} + 273.15)

where e_vac and E_vac_r correspond respectively to the partial pressure of the vapor in the air next to the animal (A) and the maximum possible pressure of the vapor in the air for the temperature T _vac _ _r .

8. Method according to claim 7, in which the maximum possible pressure E_vac_r of steam in the air for the temperature T _{vac r} is calculated according to the following formula:

E_vac_r = exp when T _{vac r} is between -60 ° C and 0 ° C;

OR

E_vac_r = exp when T _{vac r} is between 0 ° C and 83 ° C.

9. Method according to claim 7 or 8, in which the partial pressure e_vac of the vapor in the air next to the animal (A) is calculated according to the following formula:

where E_vac_m corresponds to the maximum pressure of the vapor in the air next to the animal (A).

10. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the step of determining a comfort parameter associated with the well-being of the animal comprises a calculation of a temperature-humidity index, noted THI, in function of the actual temperature T _{vac r} felt by the animal and of the actual relative humidity RH.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the THI index is calculated according to the following formula:

THI = (l.8 T _{vac r} + 32) - [(0.55 - 0.0055 HR) x (l.8 T _{vac r - 26.8l} )]

12. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a third measurement during which a luminosity perceived by said animal is measured using a photosensitive sensor positioned on said animal, and in which said perceived luminosity measured during said third measurement is taken into account when determining (S6) the comfort parameter associated with the well-being of said animal (A).

13. The method of claim 12 attached at least to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein it is determined whether the animal (A) is inside or outside a building depending on the brightness measured.

14. Method according to any one of the preceding claims, which comprises a fourth measurement during which the activity of said animal is measured using a motion sensor positioned on said animal, and in which said activity of the animal measured during said fourth measurement is taken into account when determining (S6) the comfort parameter associated with the well-being of said animal (A).

15. The method of claim 14, wherein at least one state of behavior of said animal is determined as a function of the measured activity of said animal.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein said at least one behavioral state is of the type: rumination, ingestion, rest, medium activity, high activity, reproduction period.

17. Computer program comprising instructions suitable for carrying out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16 when said computer program is executed by at least one processor.

18. Recording medium readable by a computer on which a computer program is recorded comprising instructions for the execution of the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 16.

19. Electronic monitoring system (100) for the welfare and / or comfort of a farm animal (A) such as for example a bovine, said system (100) comprising:

a portable measurement module (10) positioned on said animal (A) and comprising: a) a temperature probe (11) configured to measure a temperature of the ambient air on said animal (A), denoted T _vac _m; and

b) a humidity sensor (12) configured to measure a humidity of the ambient air on said animal (A), denoted HR _{vac m} ;

a central unit (20) remote from the animal (A) and comprising:

c) a generation circuit (22) configured to collect information relating to the temperature and humidity measured on said animal (A) and to generate according to said collected information at least one temperature data (DT) containing relative information at temperature T _{vac m} measured and at least one humidity data (DH) containing information relating to the measured humidity HR _{vac m} ;

d) a processing circuit (23) of said temperature (DT) and humidity (DH) data to calculate, as a function of the measured temperature T _{vac m} , of the measured humidity HR _{vac m} and of an actual temperature felt by the animal noted T _{vac r} , a real relative humidity RH felt by said animal; and

e) a processor (24) configured to determine a comfort parameter associated with the well-being of said animal (A) as a function of the calculated actual relative RH measured humidity.

20. The system (100) according to claim 19, which comprises computer means configured for the implementation of the steps of the method according to any one of claims 2 to 16.