Monitoring Beef Cattle Welfare Through Behavioral Analysis and Environmental Conditions Using IoT Technology

This research explores the relationship between environmental conditions, as indicated by the Temperature Humidity Index (THI), and the behavior of beef cattle. Behavioral data were collected using sensors that measured pitch, yaw, and roll, allowing classification of specific behaviors. High roll values indicated lying behavior, while negative pitch suggested head lowering, potentially signifying stress. Yaw variability was linked to movement activity. Temperature and humidity data, collected using AHT10 and MQ-135 sensors, enabled classification of conditions as "Uncomfortable" (THI > 89), "Less comfortable" (79 ≤ THI ≤ 89), or "Comfortable" (THI < 79). Conducted on a small farm in Limau Manis, West Sumatra, with three cattle, the study found that under “Less comfortable” conditions, cattle displayed increased lying behavior and negative pitch, indicating stress due to higher temperature and humidity. In “Comfortable” conditions, cattle showed greater activity and neutral pitch, reflecting improved comfort. Cluster analysis identified three environmental groups influencing cattle behavior. The study concludes that THI-based environmental monitoring can enhance cattle welfare by mitigating thermal stress risks.