U of C exploring tech tools to improve cattle health

Researchers at the University of Calgary are developing new tools that could help producers detect health issues earlier and improve reproductive efficiency in their herds.

Using remote monitoring systems, behaviour-tracking collars, and machine-learning models, two projects underway at W.A. Ranches are examining how technology can complement producer experience and support on-farm decision-making.

The future of animal management

Possible benefits include earlier detection of illness, improved reproductive outcomes, reduced treatment costs, and enhanced animal welfare, says Dr. Ed Pajor, Anderson-Chisholm Chair in Animal Care and Welfare and director of W.A. Ranches.

For producers, these tools could offer a new level of visibility — helping catch problems sooner and protect overall herd health.

“We’re looking at Precision Livestock Technology, which involves remote sensing, AI, and large data sets,” says Pajor.

“This technology is poised to play a significant role in the future of animal management.”

Early detection and improved reproduction

The UCVM research team, supervised by Pajor alongside Dr. Jennifer Pearson and led by PhD candidate Vinicius Camargo, has spent four years studying bull behaviour using collars equipped with GPS, accelerometers, and proximity sensors, supported by video monitoring and direct observation.

Their machine-learning analysis is revealing clear patterns. Bulls that are more active and socially engaged prior to breeding have been shown to sire significantly more calves. The technology can also help detect issues such as lameness much earlier than traditional observation alone, allowing producers to intervene sooner and improve outcomes.

While ranchers observe their cattle daily, tracking subtle individual changes across a large herd can be challenging. Establishing a baseline for normal behaviour creates a new tool: if an animal deviates from its norm, that shift may serve as an early warning sign.

Calf-focused tools extend early detection

Behaviour-monitoring technology is also being adapted for younger animals. Dr. Rachael Coon, Killam Postdoctoral Laureate and member of the Pajor lab, has developed calf-sized collars that track activity levels and mother–calf proximity. When a calf’s behaviour shifts from its established pattern, the system can flag it as a potential indicator of disease.

In large or extensive operations, where close observation of every calf is difficult, this approach could help producers identify illness earlier and reduce both treatment costs and welfare impacts.

Looking ahead, software tools already used on Alberta ranches could eventually integrate real-time behaviour monitoring. Systems such as TELUS Animal Record Management, currently in use at W.A. Ranches, may one day alert producers via their phones when an animal begins acting abnormally.

Researchers emphasize these tools are not replacements for producer experience, but additional sources of insight. That said, Pajor is bullish on a tech-forward future.

“Our focus is to provide leadership in developing these approaches for the cow-calf sector of the beef industry.”