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Collaborative project: Use of innovative data analysis and artificial intelligence for udder health management, incorporating the latest research approaches in bulk milk analysis and image-based animal identification - subproject B (IQexpert)

Project


Project code: 281C202B19
Contract period: 01.02.2021 - 31.01.2024
Budget: 576,946 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Keywords: prevention, sensor technology, diagnostics, animal husbandry, AI Artificial Intelligence, digital world, animal welfare, data management, cattle, milk

The IQexpert project aims to develop an artificial intelligence-based expert system for strategic udder health management (XTE) in dairy cows. The system assists the farmer as a "digital expert" by analyzing data relevant to animal health on a state-of-the-art scientific basis and by generating recommendations for decision support - e.g. in terms of therapy worthiness or selective drying-off. The aim is to simplify the strategic udder health management and thereby contribute to the responsible use of antibiotics and improved animal health. The development of the XTE by AI experts is closely accompanied by veterinary support. The data of the selected pilot farms are transmitted via a newly created, international data platform, and in particular sensor data is made accessible. The XTE will be operated by the user via an app and a web-based desktop application. An automatic image-based animal identification is being developed for the app, which offers the potential for further automatic recordings. Furthermore, the innovative, genetic analysis method GenoCells® is to be investigated for its integration into an udder health monitoring system. This enables an almost daily determination of the individual somatic cell counts from the bulk milk, the most important parameter for udder health. In addition, the DNA technology for bulk milk screening is to be combined with test kits for the diagnosis of mastitis pathogens and multi-resistant germs in order to be able to detect carrier cows of these pathogens as well as germs critical in human medicine in the routine milk control laboratory. The implementation of the project goals supports the dairy farmer in his decision to use antibiotics in a targeted manner, which facilitates the desired minimization of antibiotics use.

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