WP3 - On-farm tools to phenotype proxies of R&E

WP Leader: Yvette de Haas – DLO // Wageningen Research (WR)
Associate WP leader: Claudia Kamphuis - WR
Involved partners: WR, TEAGASC, FiBL, FSK, IDELE, NOLDUS, RAFT, MEDRIA, INTERBULL, UNIPD
Easy to measure, relevant and accurate proxies for resilience and efficiency of animals are required for the genomic selection and on-farm management indexes developed in WP4 and WP5, respectively. Currently, on-farm data are available that could be used to define these proxies, and these data could be combined, using data processing algorithms. In addition, recent developments in for example space and drone technology are considered to be helpful in managing cows and herds in outdoor environments. This WP will focus on developing phenotyping proxies with the choice of indicators used in this WP being solution-driven, i.e. targeting the key phenotypes for resilience and efficiency.
Objectives
WP3 will develop phenotyping tools and will collect data that can be used as proxies for resilience and efficiency of animals from:
  • Close-to-market or market-ready on-farm sensor technology
  • Big data
  • Novel sensor technology to phenotype beef animals in an outdoor free range environment
The tools will be calibrated and validated across a range of production environments and systems for cattle.
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During the project, there will be a tight collaboration with WP2 on the evaluation of the proxy measures and on the development of big data derived phenotypes. It will provide data and proxies on candidate phenotypes for use in genomic selection (WP4) and for on-farm management indexes (WP5)
Tasks
  • T3.1 – Development of (new) proxies for resilience and efficiency from automated on-farm technology
  • T3.2 – Using Big Data from national databases for proxies for resilience and efficiency
  • T3.3 – Testing feasibility of novel technology to measure resilience and efficiency in extensive beef systems
  • T3.4 – Combining proxies from task 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 in order to measure, estimate and monitor resilience and efficiency of cattle in both housed and extensive environments
PROJECT
WORK PACKAGES