D-Ruminantia, IPB University’s Newest Innovation Technology to Overcome Heat Stress in Cattle
IPB University’s Faculty of Animal Science Fapet) lecturer, Dr Iyep Komala, together with Dr Mohammad Fayruz, CEO of PT Lana Ratifa who is also an alumnus of the Faculty of Animal Science of IPB University, successfully answered the solution to the problem of heat stress in cows, especially dairy cows, through the D-Ruminantia innovation.
“Heat stress is a common problem in dairy farms that contributes to a decrease in productivity and milk quality,” said Dr Iyep during the Launching of Excellent Research Results, Tuesday (7/22) at IPB Dramaga Campus.
Dr Iyep said, this technology was born as a response to the high milk imports in Indonesia which reached 82 percent due to the low production and quality of domestic dairy milk.
“Dairy cattle are very susceptible to heat stress. This problem occurs when the environmental temperature and relative humidity exceed the cow’s ability to regulate its body temperature. This is very detrimental, especially in the tropics or during summer,” he said.
Heat stress has an impact on decreased milk production (10-25%), decreased feed consumption, reproductive disorders, physiological changes, decreased immune system, decreased milk quality, and general health problems which ultimately result in economic losses.
“In the field, the method of recapitulating microclimate data to measure heat stress is rarely done, even if it is done manually, only at certain times. Currently, there is no tool that can monitor microclimate in dairy cowsheds online or remotely,” he added.
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D-Ruminantia can detect the level of heat stress by automatically calculating the Temperature Humidity Index (THI). The THI value can determine whether dairy cattle are in a comfortable condition, mild, moderate, severe, or very severe stress.
“Based on the Internet of Things (IoT), this tool has proven effective in measuring microclimates such as temperature, humidity, wind speed, ammonia content, light intensity, and THI in real time 24 hours, which can be accessed by the D-Ruminanceia website or application via mobile phone or personal computer (PC),” he explained.
This tool, he continued, is also equipped with a camera to monitor the behavior of livestock, so that farmers can monitor the behavior and comfort level of dairy cows.
Another advantage, D-Ruminantia has used dual network technology of NB-IoT and IP Based, using Raspberry Pi. This innovation has also been registered for copyright, brand rights, and certified (technology readiness stage) TKT-9.
“This technology has also been integrated with a control and management system, has an alert system for action, does not produce waste and is environmentally friendly, and can help determine a suitable location for raising livestock based on the microclimate at that location,” he explained.
Trial and Access
Dr Iyep said, this tool has been tested at the Livestock Embryo Center (BET) Cipelang Bogor, Mandiri Sejahtera Livestock Group Cijeruk Bogor, Kansas Ranch KUNAK Bogor, a dairy farm in Pondok Ranggon East Jakarta, and the Regional Technical Implementation Unit (UPTD) of the Cikole Lembang Dairy Cattle and Animal Feed Forage Development Center.
D-Ruminantia can be accessed through the official website at https://d-ruminansia.com/ or a smartphone application.
“In the future, this tool can be used to automatically control blower fans, heaters, and coolers, so that livestock become comfortable with the existing microclimate conditions,” he said, explaining future development plans.
Dr Iyep hopes that with this innovation farmers can be more effective in managing and increasing the productivity of dairy cows, as well as maintaining animal welfare through real-time monitoring of environmental conditions. (dh) (IAAS/RWA)
