University of Kentucky to explore drone technology for livestock management

The University of Kentucky has received a grant to explore drone technology. This project is expected to revolutionize the process of cattle production by saving money and time and improving animal welfare.

Study in US: Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment at the University of Kentucky has received a grant of $910,000 from the USDA to refine and develop drone technology in cattle management. The project title is - Precision Livestock Management: Cattle Monitoring and Herding Using Cooperative Drones. It will be a five-year project.

Principal investigator and Department of Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering (BAE) assistant extension professor Josh Jackson said, “This project is a continuation of our ongoing efforts to integrate technology into livestock management. We’ve previously worked on cattle monitoring using drones, but now our team is exploring how these drones can be used for herding. The idea is to see if we can move cattle with drones in an effective and safe way for the animals.”

“We’re interested in how cattle of various breeds respond to the drones. For instance, we’ve seen in our previous work that one drone flying 30 feet above ground level doesn’t bother them much, but if you introduce a second drone or change the flight pattern, their response changes. Understanding these reactions is crucial for developing practical applications," Jackson said.

Key objectives of drone technology project

There are many key objectives on which the project will focus, it will enable drones to work near cattle and develop a multi-agent drone control system. The project will also find out how different breeds respond to the presence and movement of drones near them. It will also develop methods to determine the weight of the cattle by creating 3D models from drone-captured aerial photographs.

“The potential to estimate cattle weight without ever having to physically handle the animals is exciting. If we can get within 5% accuracy using drones, it could revolutionize how farmers monitor the health and growth of their herds," added Jackson.

The project will also evaluate the cost-effectiveness of integrating the cattle production process into drone technology.

“Farmers want to know if this technology makes sense financially. While it might not be cost-effective right now, there’s potential for future advancements to make it more accessible and affordable," Jackson added.

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