Infrared thermography as a tool to evaluate body surface

temperature and its relationship with feed efficiency in Bos

indicus cattle in tropical conditions
Luciane Silva Martello, Saulo da Luz e Silva, Rodrigo da Costa Gomes, Rosana
Ruegger Pereira da Silva Corte and Paulo Roberto Leme
Group 41 - Celine Berjot, Nick Kershaw, Jayden Gibbeson, Lautaro Brieva

Background and aims

Infrared thermography (IRT) is a technique
that is increasingly being used in the beef and
dairy industry for a wide range of uses. One
use that the authors investigate is its ability to
determine residual feed intake (RFI), a
measure of feed efficiency in cattle that could
be used for selective breeding.
The aims of this experiment were to:
1. Evaluate IRT as a way of measuring body
surface temperature
2. Evaluate IRT as a way of determining
residual feed intake (RFI) in Nellore cattle
(Bos taurus indicus)

Figure 1: Cow
eating a dandelion

Methods
2 phases: residual feed intake phase and
thermography phase
Average daily weight gain and RFI measured
after 21-day adaptation period
IR thermography, rectal temperature and
respiratory frequency (RF) measured for 9
high RFI and 9 low RFI animals
IRT measured on forehead, ocular area, cheek
flank, ribs, rump and front feet using thermal
imaging gun

Evaluation
Evaluation of Methods
High/Low RFI group comparison technique used
instead of correlation
Did not prove IRT as reliable measure of skin
temperatures
Different temperature conditions during feeding
efficiency phase
Evaluation of Results
No proven link between RFI and thermoregulatory
efficiency
Contradicting similar research regarding RFI and skin
temperature
Frontal temperature readings not justified
Implications of Results
Highly likely to be incorporated into industry
Sensitivity of IRT to dirt/vapour reduces applicability
Likely to inspire further research into IRT applications
Conclusion
Therefore, the study suggests that frontal infrared
thermography is a useful tool in determining feed
efficiency (through negative correlation) in Nellore (Bos
taurus indicus) cattle under thermal stress. Although the
biological basis for this is yet to be determined, this study
paves the way for technology such as IRT to be more
readily incorporated in the beef industry to improve
animal welfare and productivity.

Results
All temperatures lower in low RFI except for
frontal temperature, which is higher
Frontal temperature has the highest
correlation to RFI and RF of all areas
measured (0.60)
No influence of skin thickness, average weight
gain or final body weight was observed
It was concluded that :
low RFI cattle had more efficient
thermoregulatory mechanisms when placed
under thermal stress
Frontal temperature can be used to estimate
RFI in Nellore cattle

Fig.2 Illustrative infrared images of the a front, b feet, c ocular area, and d flank of
subjects of the study.