The use of sensor–based systems in animal husbandry is an objective way of better controlling and evaluating animal behaviour and reactions and their alteration in time under the prevailing husbandry system. Animal reactions are possible indicators for animal health or can be used as decision guidance in production processes. Animal monitoring systems provide information about animal health contributes to economy and animal welfare. Recent animal husbandry systems demand intensive physiological performance, leading to an enormous sensibility of the organism. Milk secretion in the dairy cow has a high metabolic priority and is clearly maintained at the cost of other reproductive and metabolic processes. Most common diseases are reproductive disorders, mastitis, metabolic disorders (such as ketosis) and lameness. Health problems in dairy cows are important for farmers because they result in losses of milk yield, lead to treatment costs and detrimental to animal welfare. These problems are often results of insufficient energy intake. Numerous studies have shown a strong correlation between dry matter intake (DMI) post partum and incidences of clinical disorders. Regarding these correlations, the project “feedwatch” analyses the feeding behaviour of dairy cows (duration of feed intake, frequency of feed intake) during the transition period and early lactation. Based on previous studies a new monitoring system will be established, focussing on feeding behaviour and its alteration in time by individual identification. The aim of the study is to build new models in order to get an early-alert-system to maintain animal health and animal well-being.
