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Animal Welfare and Technology professorship

The Animal Welfare and Technology professorship focuses on measuring and monitoring animal health, behaviour and welfare using advanced technology. We are working on how data and sensors can be applied for different animal species and sectors.

Tablet and cows

About the professorship

Goal

The aim of the Precision Livestock Farming professorship is to facilitate smarter and more efficient farming (smart farming) and to use data for more precise operational management. By collecting more information about the individual animal, it is easier to prevent illness, reduce the amount of raw materials and antibiotics needed, and to increase the animal’s performance. More and, specifically, better knowledge of the animal’s behaviour and health status can improve its well-being.

Persons with clipboard sit on hay bale
Research agenda

The professorship focuses on measuring and monitoring animal behaviour and animal health in various animal sectors. The research programmes are cross-species, and experiences are shared and exchanged across the different animal species and sectors. For example, we conduct research into body temperature and thermography in dairy cows and horses, we measure climate and health in pig houses, poultry houses and stables and we investigate social behaviour in dairy cows and mice.

We estimate weight using cameras for pigs, cows and horses and manually or automatically measure the body condition score in cats, dogs, horses and cows. This enables us to gain an increasing body of knowledge concerning the application of sensors to monitor the health, behaviour and welfare of animals. The research is driven by the desire to improve animal welfare with the aid of technology and data, whether the animal is kept for companionship, production or research. Knowledge and experience acquired in the different sectors are used in this process.

People walking at a farm
Partnerships and social roles

The professorship is part of the professors’ platform ‘Humane Animal Husbandry in Practice’, where the professor is one of the leading lectors. We collaborate with professors from the green universities of applied sciences, Avans and CHE, and with Utrecht University, Wageningen University, ZLTO and the Dutch Council on Animal Affairs. More information

photo Lenny in stable
On-the-job-training companies

The Animal Welfare and Technology professorship works closely with three farms where we offer practical training and perform research projects:

Hoeve Boveneind 

Hoeve Boveneind dairy farm  is owned and run by Wilfred de Bruijn. Here, HAS green academy can link the cows’ behaviour and activity using neck and leg tags to their location using positioning technology from Nedap. Together with the other data collected at the farm, this information offers a wealth of opportunities for this research group to perform practical research. Research at Hoeve Boveneind studies a wide range of topics including heat stress, health around calving, lameness and social interaction in the herd.

Pels Melkvee

Research performed by HAS green academy at the Pels dairy farm focuses primarily on health and behaviour of the dairy cows, indoors as well as on pasture. The cows are monitored via the neck tags and the Body Condition Score Camera from Delaval. Example projects at the farm are the study into ketosis and health around calving, social behaviour and hierarchy in the group, and Body Condition Scores in the cows.  

Berkhout Varkens

Berkhout Varkens in Sint-Oedenrode is a true family-run farm. The van den Berkmortel family operates a closed farm system, including rearing their own mother pigs, in compliance with the Better Life quality label criteria. Students of the Animal Husbandry and Applied Biology study programmes go on field trips to this  farm as well as carrying out research projects there. In this farm, we are studying behaviour and health of sows with piglets, weaned piglets and fattening pigs, and an example project is the use of a Cough Monitor system to monitor lung health of pigs.

Publications

Reports, summaries and articles

View all reports, summaries and articles of projects from the professorship in Greeni

Inauguration speech

Publication inauguration speech professor Lenny van Erp, October 2016

Thesis

  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, 2003. Coping behaviour in pigs – consequences for welfare and performance. Verdediging op 11 december 2003 te Utrecht. Faculteit Diergeneeskunde, Utrecht Universiteit.

Journal articles

Scientific articles

  • J.B.Roelofs and E. van Erp-van der Kooij, 2015. Estrus detection tools and their applicability in cattle: recent and perspectival situation. Animal Reproduction 12 (3), p. 498-504.
  • G.H. Meen, M.A. Schellekens, M.H.M. Slegers, N.L.G. Leenders, E. van Erp-van der Kooij and L.P.J.J. Noldus, 2015. Sound analysis in dairy cattle vocalisation as a potential welfare monitor. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture 118, p. 111-115.
  • J.M. Shephard, S. Rycken, O. Almalik, K. Struyf and E. van Erp-van der Kooij, 2015. Migration strategies revealed by satellite tracking among descendants of a population of European white stork (Ciconia ciconia) reintroduced to Belgium. Journal of Ornithology 156 (4): 943-953.
  • E. van der Steen, V. Boomer, V. Snijders en E. van Erp-van der Kooij, 2014. Stress bij asielkatten. Tijdschrift voor Diergeneeskunde nr. 8, augustus 2014, p. 40-43.
  • E.van Erp-van der Kooij, A.H.Kuijpers, F.J.C.M. van Eerdenburg and M.J.M.Tielen, 2003. Coping characteristics and performance in fattening pigs. Livestock Production Science 84: 31-38.
  • E.van Erp-van der Kooij, A.H.Kuijpers, F.J.C.M. van Eerdenburg, S.J. Dieleman, D.M. Blankenstein and M.J.M.Tielen, 2003. Individual behavioural characteristics in pigs – influences of group composition, but no differences in cortisol responses. Physiology and Behaviour 78: 479-488.
  • E.van Erp-van der Kooij, A.H.Kuijpers, J.W. Schrama, F.J.C.M. van Eerdenburg, W.G.P. Schouten and M.J.M.Tielen, 2002. Can we predict behaviour in pigs? – searching for consistency in behaviour over time and across situations. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 75 (4) p. 293-305.
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, A.H. Kuijpers, F.J.C.M. van Eerdenburg and M.J.M.Tielen, 2001. A note on the influence of starting position, time of testing and test order on the backtest in pigs. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 73 (4), p. 263-266.
  • E.van Erp-van der Kooij, A.H.Kuijpers, J.W.Schrama, E.D.Ekkel and M.J.M. Tielen, 2000. Individual behavioural characteristics in pigs and their impact on production. Applied Animal Behaviour Science 66, p. 171-185
  • E.A.M. Graat, E. van der Kooij, K. Frankena A.M. Henken, J.F.M. Smeets and M.T.J. Hekerman, 1998. Quantifying risk factors of coccidiosis in broilers using on-farm data based on a veterinary practice. Preventive Veterinary Medicine 33, p. 297-308.
  • E. van der Kooij, H. Kindahl and H. Gustafsson, 1994. Effects of endotoxin-contaminated FSH-preparations in heifers. Acta Veterinaria Scandinavia 35 (4), p. 449-451.

Contribute to congresses

  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, J.B. Roelofs, J.S. Johnson, D. Hovden and L.P.J.J. Noldus. Monitoring body temperature and activity in sows using a sensor-based telemetric system. In: Proceedings of the 7th International Conference of the Assessment of Animal Welfare at Farm and Group level, Ede, the Netherlands, 5-8 September 2017 (poster presentation), p. 50.
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, J.B. Roelofs, J.S. Johnson, D. Hovden and L.P.J.J. Noldus. Monitoring body temperature and activity in sows using a sensor-based telemetric system. In: Proceedings of Precision Livestock Farming 2017, Nantes, France, 12-14 September 2017 (oral presentation and paper), p. 656-665.
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, M. van de Brug en J.B. Roelofs. Validation of Nedap Smarttag Leg and Neck to assess behavioural activity level in cattle. Precision Dairy Farming 2016, Leeuwarden, 21-23 juni 2016 (oral presentation and extended abstract)
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij. Het gebruik van telemetrie in de agrarische sector. Landelijke Telemetrie dag 2016, Wageningen, 17 maart 2016.
  • G.H. Meen, M.A. Schellekens, M.H.M. Slegers, N.L.G. Leenders, E. van Erp-van der Kooij, and L.P.J.J. Noldus. Sound analysis of dairy cows. In: Proceedings of the ISAEBenelux meeting 2014, Eersel, the Netherlands, 8 October 2014 (poster presentation)
  • G.H. Meen, M.A. Schellekens, M.H.M. Slegers, N.L.G. Leenders, E. van Erp-van der Kooij, and L.P.J.J. Noldus. Sound analysis of dairy cows. In: Proceedings of Measuring Behaviour 2014, Wageningen, the Netherlands, 27-29 August 2014 (poster presentation)
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, E.C.J. Mijdam, O. Almalik and F.J.C.M. van Eerdenburg. Lying behavior of dairy cows in cubicles. In: Proceedings of the ISAEBenelux meeting 2013, Sterksel, the Netherlands, 10 October 2013 (poster presentation)
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, O. Almalik and F.J.C.M. van Eerdenburg. Lying behavior of dairy cows in cubicles. In: Proceedings of Measuring Behaviour 2012, Utrecht, the Netherlands, 28-31 August 2012 (poster presentation)
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, and F.J.C.M. van Eerdenburg. Lying behavior in cubicles – improving dairy welfare by improving management. In: Proceedings of the Minding Animals 2012 Conference, Utrecht, the Netherlands, 4-6 July 2012 (poster presentation)
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, D. Hovinga en P. Smulders. Evaluating animal lessons: attitude and knowledge in children age 4-12. In: Proceedings of the Minding Animals 2012 Conference, Utrecht, the Netherlands, 4-6 July 2012 (oral presentation)
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, A.H. Kuijpers, F.J.C.M. van Eerdenburg, S.J. Dieleman, D.M. Blankenstein and M.J.M. Tielen. Stress, coping behaviour and immunity in pigs. In: Proceedings of the Second International Swine Housing Conference. Raleigh, NC, USA, 12-15 October 2003 (oral presentation).
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, A.H. Kuijpers, F.J.C.M. van Eerdenburg and M.J.M. Tielen. Group composition can influence coping behaviour in pigs. In: Proceedings of the 37th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, p.44. Abano Terme, Italy, 24-28 June 2003 (oral presentation).
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, A.H. Kuijpers, E.D. Ekkel and M.J.M. Tielen, 2002. Individual behavioural and immunological differences in pigs. In: Proceedings of the 36th Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, p. 198. Egmond aan Zee, the Netherlands, 6-10 August 2002 (poster).
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, A.H. Kuijpers, E.D. Ekkel and M.J.M. Tielen, 2001. Individual behavioural characteristics in pigs: a comparison of different behavioural tests. In: Proceedings of the 35nd Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology. Davis, California, 4-8 August 2001 (poster).
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, A.H. Kuijpers, F.J.C.M. van Eerdenburg and M.J.M. Tielen, 2000. Coping behaviour and health in fattening pigs . In: Proceedings of the International Society of Animal Hygiene. Maastricht, the Netherlands, 2-6 July 2000 (oral presentation).
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, A.H. Kuijpers, F.J.C.M. van Eerdenburg and M.J.M. Tielen, 2000. Individual characteristics in pigs: variation in and validation of the backtest. In: Proceedings of the International Society of Animal Hygiene. Maastricht, the Netherlands, 2-6 July 2000 (poster).
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, A.H. Kuijpers, E.D. Ekkel and M.J.M. Tielen, 1998. Individual behavioural characteristics in pigs and their impact on production. In: Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Production Diseases in Farm Animals. Utrecht, the Netherlands, 24-28 August 1998. Paper A48 (oral presentation).
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, A.H. Kuijpers, E.D. Ekkel and M.J.M. Tielen, 1998. Coping styles and stereotypies in sows. In: Proceedings of the 32nd Congress of the International Society for Applied Ethology, p. 183. Clermont-Ferrand, France, 21-25 July 1998 (poster).
  • E. van Erp-van der Kooij, A.H. Kuijpers, E.D. Ekkel and M.J.M. Tielen, 1997. Individual behavioural characteristics in pigs and their impact on production. In: Proceedings of the 48th annual meeting of the EAAP, p. 339, paper P5.5. Vienna, Austria, 25-28 august 1997 (oral presentation).
Datacamp

The Animal Welfare and Technology professorship works with Datacamp, a virtual classroom where students and colleagues can follow data science courses.

Research lines

  • Cows social behaviour

    Social behaviour

    Most animals kept for production or companionship are group animals, where social behaviour and social interaction between the animals are an essential part of their behavioural pattern and a precondition for good animal welfare. In the research line the Animal Welfare and Technology professorship studies social interactions between animals in small and large groups and link this to animal welfare and health.

  • Heat camera

    Precision Livestock Farming

    Animal husbandry relies increasingly on technology to continuously monitor animal behaviour, animal health, production and the environmental impact. The HAS Green Academy Animal Welfare and Technology professorship is conducting research into this within the precision livestock farming research line.

  • Cat sensor

    Individual sensors

    Individual sensors are used bij the Animal Welfare & Technology professorship of HAS green academy to measure and monitor the health, behaviour and welfare of each animal. This provides data for individual animals and an animal-specific pattern of data, which we can use to determine the health and welfare status of each animal and find or even predict abnormalities at an early stage.

  • Horse research

    Animal and environment

    Keeping animals has an impact on the environment. More sustainable animal husbandry systems reduce the harmful effects on the environment. The Animal Welfare and Technology professorship of HAS green academy is conducting research into this.

  • Human dog

    Human-animal interactions

    The way in which owners or stockpeople treat animals, whether they are kept for production or companionship, is vital for animal welfare. The Animal Welfare and Technology professorship of HAS green academy is conducting research into this. This concerns both livestock animals and pets.

Professor

Knowledge circle

Sustainable Development Goals

  • Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being
  • Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education
  • Sustainable Development Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
  • Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the goals