Cattle farming using UAV

We have been looking for new uses for already implemented technologies in agriculture for a long time. With the advent of fully autonomous unmanned vehicles (docking stations), a whole range of new possibilities has opened up for us, and not only in crop production!

Fig. 1 Pasture-raised cattle breeding is an integral part of Czech agriculture.

For the last month, we have been intensively testing active monitoring of cattle using unmanned aerial vehicles, where we can monitor the cattle herd several times a day and count individual cattle on the pasture or evaluate the condition of the pasture (satellite may not be enough when there is more cloud cover). Our vision is a fully autonomous system that controls the paddocks, waterers, the number of cattle and other required information in real time. Of course, using other technologies already in use.

Fig. 2 Cattle control using UAVs is still in its infancy and presents a number of problems.

The technology of counting itself is relatively simple and we have experience with it mainly in identifying weeds/cultivated plants. Pastures near cities pose a big problem, and the complex relief is a problem that has not yet been solved in the form of trees and bushes under which cattle hide from the sun.

Fig. 3 UAV imaging for subsequent cattle counting

We are having intensive discussions about the optimal equipment for an unmanned aerial vehicle. Based on our experience so far, the use of an RGB camera appears to be sufficient, as it generally provides high resolution with a lower purchase price compared to, for example, a thermal camera.

Fig. 4 Identification of individual animals on pasture.

We plan to further develop the smart grazing project and we have a number of challenges ahead of us. Are you interested in more information or would you like to participate in the project? Please feel free to contact me.