The AgResearch Cattle Urine Sensor Team has developed a device to inform strategies for reducing nitrogen leaching from cow urine patches.
Nitrogen loss from livestock urine is a major environmental concern in New Zealand, and frequently subject to regulation. Dr Paul Shorten (an expert in modelling biological processes) and Dr Brendon Welten (who researches nutrient cycling and loss in pastoral systems) combined their skills to create an acoustic sensor to accurately detect the volume and frequency of cow urination.
Cattle Urine Sensor Team
Addressing a wee problem
Hill Labs Primary Industry Award – Finalist
Science & Technology Award – Winner
The AgResearch Cattle Urine Sensor Team has developed a device to inform strategies for reducing nitrogen leaching from cow urine patches.
Nitrogen loss from livestock urine is a major environmental concern in New Zealand, and frequently subject to regulation. Dr Paul Shorten (an expert in modelling biological processes) and Dr Brendon Welten (who researches nutrient cycling and loss in pastoral systems) combined their skills to create an acoustic sensor to accurately detect the volume and frequency of cow urination.
This varies between cows and understanding this variation can guide management practices. Paul and Brendon have engaged with other scientists to use the device for research into leaching mitigation strategies, to provide data for scenario-based modelling and integrate knowledge into the Overseer decision-support system for on-farm use.
The AgResearch Cattle Urine Sensor Team is a 2023 finalist in the Science & Technology Award and the Hill Labs Primary Industry Award.