TrackLab

Livestock research

Indoor and outdoor tracking

TrackLab offers integrated solutions for indoor tracking  in barns or research labs, as well outdoor tracking  in feedlots and pastures. Both systems are based on the same TrackLab behavior analysis software.

 
 

Tag solutions for livestock animals

We offer various tag options to suit a range of common livestock animals, for both Ultra-Wideband (UWB) based tracking and GPS-based tracking. All tags are designed and tested to prevent discomfort. Typically, tags are attached to the animal using a collar, harness, ear tag, or backpack. Please contact us for more information.

Researchers from the Flanders Research Institute for Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (ILVO) in Belgium found out that automated tracking systems such as TrackLab with UWB tags deliver high accuracy and the insights into behavioral patterns while the UWB tags do not seem to interfere with a chicken’s behavior or health. For them this technology is suitable for providing early warning signs for damaging behaviors such as feather-pecking.

tracklab livestock overview animals
 

TrackLab research steps

  • Automated scheduled data recording
  • Importing and visualizing data
  • Creating user-defined regions and classifiers
  • Real time behavior monitoring
  • Real time statistics
  • Analysis
 
tracklab cows in barn
 

TrackLab and biocontainment facilities

 TrackLab tracking sensors and UWB tags are fully compatible with biocontainment facilities (up to BSL-3).

Tags are compatible with various biosafety sterilization methods, such as Ethylene Oxide Sterilization (EtO), formaldehyde (LTSF), low temperature Hydrogen Peroxide Plasma (H2O2), Ozone (O3), and autoclaving (under restricted conditions).

All sensors and tags stay in the biocontainment lab at all times. With just an ethernet cable, the equipment is connected to the TrackLab PC located outside the biocontainment area. Animal health indicators are monitored using the TrackLab software on that PC.

 

Livestock research projects

Noldus plays an active role in multiple leading livestock research projects around the world. These projects evolve around various dimensions in livestock research: breeding and genetics, the reduction of antibiotics, veterinary research, and sustainable pig farming.

Our preferred role is that of a technology partner: we develop tools and methods, and the researchers use and validate them. This way, we can contribute to scientific progress. At the same time, the projects give us an opportunity to develop relevant new technologies - not only for today's mainstream use, but also for tomorrow's needs. For more information on our current projects, visit our research projects page.

 

References

  • Van Gijssel A., Loke B.J., Ouweltjes W., Rodenburg T.B., Visser E.K. and Noldus L.P.J.J. (2019) TrackLab 2: a new solution for automatic recording of location, activity and social behavior of group-housed animals. In: O’Brien B., Hennessy D. and Shalloo L. (eds) Precision Livestock Farming ’19. The 9th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF, Cork, Ireland, pp 677-68.
  • Van Gijssel A., Loke B.J., Ouweltjes W., Rodenburg T.B., Visser E.K. and Noldus L.P.J.J. (2019) TrackLab 2: a new solution for automatic recording of location, activity and social behavior of group-housed animals. Poster publication. The 9th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF, Cork, Ireland.
  • Rodenburg, TB; van der Eijk, JAJ; Pichová, K .; van Mil, B .; of Haas, EN (2017). PhenoLab: automatic recording of location, activity and proximity in group-housed laying hens. Precision Livestock Farming '17 , 269-274.


Visit our resources page for more publications on TrackLab!