A Machine Learning Framework for Large-Scale Behavioral Monitoring to Assess Thermotolerance in Dairy Cows
TL;DR
A machine learning framework is developed to monitor dairy cow behavior on a large scale, aiming to assess thermotolerance and address projected heat stress impacts, including significant milk production losses and economic costs by mid-century.
A Machine Learning Framework for Large-Scale Behavioral Monitoring to Assess Thermotolerance in Dairy Cows
Nseabasi S. Udondian; Daniel Ogbuigwe; Mostafa Mahmoud Selim; Ahmed Abdelmoamen Ahmed; Madison E. Bacon; Courtney L. Daigle
https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2025.3648965
Volume 14
Based on projected climatic trends, the U.S. dairy industry faces escalating heat stress challenges, with milk production losses projected to reach 1.4 kg/day per cow by the 2050s and 1.9 kg/day per cow by the 2080s, resulting in economic losses of ${\$}$ 1.7 billion and ${\$}$ 2.2 billion, respectively. While extensive cooling mechanisms are in place, they cannot fully mitigate heat stress effe...