SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IN-RUMEN MONITORING

摘要

A system for monitoring digestive efficiency within the rumen of one or more ruminant animals comprises rumen boluses shaped and sized to be retained within the rumen dorsal sac and each comprising temperature, pH sensor, and redox sensors, and a wireless transmitter. A processor is arranged to derive from the sensor data one or more parameters indicative of animal digestive efficiency including any combination of one or more of hydrogen scale (rH), partial pressure of hydrogen (pp[H2]), oxygen fugacity (f(O2)) and free energy of the system (ΔG). A method and bolus are also claimed.

主权项

1. A system for monitoring the process of fermentation within the rumen of one or more ruminant animals comprising:
one or more rumen boluses each shaped and sized to be retained within, or residing within, the dorsal sac of the rumen of the associated animal and each comprising:
a temperature sensor to provide data indicative of temperature within the rumen,a pH sensor to provide data indicative of pH within the rumen, anda redox sensor to provide data indicative of the oxidation-reduction potential within the rumen, anda wireless transmitter for transmitting data or derived parameters to a remote station, and in the or each bolus or at a remote station a processor arranged to derive from the sensor data one or more parameters indicative of the process of fermentation.