MEASUREMENT OF THE ACIDITY IN A GASTRIC SYSTEM OF ANIMALS SUCH AS COWS

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring the acidity in a gastric system of animals such as cows. A pH sensor is introduced into the rumen or a different part of the gastric system of the animal, for determining the acidity of the environment of the part of the gastric system in which the sensor is located. The sensor is adapted to enable remote and wireless reading out of the measured acidity by means of a reading device.

Description: Title: Measurement of the acidity in a gastric system of animals such as cows. This invention relates to a method for measuring the acidity in a gastric system of animals, such as cows. On a farm, animals such as cows are typically fed both roughage and concentrated feeds. In cows, roughage will be subject to rumination, whereby saliva is formed that is transported to the rumen. Due to the saliva thus entering the gastric system of an animal, the degree of acidity (pH) will increase. An increasing value of the pH means that the gastric system is becoming less acidic. When a cow eats concentrated feed, however, this will not be subject to rumination. The result is that less saliva is transported to the rumen. As a consequence, the acidity will decrease, in other words, the contents of the gastric tract become more acidic. Research has shown that an optimum acidity for the gastric system of the animal is 5.8 < pH < 7. On the farm, the animal generally has an unlimited amount of roughage at its disposal, while the concentrated feed is made available to the animal in doses. The object of the invention is to provide a method which makes it possible to measure the acidity in the gastric system of the animals in a simple and effective manner, which in turn has as a consequence that this information can optionally be used for controlling the amount of concentrates to be supplied to the animals for obtaining an optimum acidity in the gastric system of the animals. Accordingly, the method according to the invention is characterized in that a pH sensor is introduced into the rumen or a different part of the gastric system of an animal for determining the acidity of a contents of the part of the gastric system in which the sensor is located, while the pH sensor is adapted to enable wireless supply of the measured acidity to a reading device. Because the pH sensor is located in the gastric system of the animal at all times, the acidity can be readily determined at any random moment. If it thus appears that the contents of the gastric system are too acid (i.e. the acidity is too low), less concentrate may be supplied. If it appears that the contents of the gastric system are too basic, supplying more concentrate to the animal might even be considered. Preferably, the pH sensor is attached to a bolus, known per se. The reading device can be arranged at a suitable position on the farm. In this connection, a milking robot may be considered, so that the acidity is determined at the moment when the animal is milked. It is also possible, however, to set up the reading device at the feeding station, so that the acidity can be determined immediately before the concentrate is furnished to the animal. The amount of concentrate that is administered to the animal can then be adjusted to the instantaneous situation in respect of the acidity of the contents of the gastric system of the animal. The invention will presently be further elucidated with reference to the drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1 shows a possible embodiment of a system according to the invention for practicing a method according to the invention. In Fig. 1, reference numeral 1 designates a system for practicing a method according to the invention. The system comprises a bolus 2, known per se, comprising a glass case 4, which is closed on a first side with a metal cap 6. A second side, located opposite the first side, is closed with an optochemical membrane 8, known per se. The optochemical membrane 8 generates an electric signal on a line 10, which signal is a measure for the acidity of the contents of the environment in which the bolus 2 is located. Further, the bolus 2 includes a resonant circuit 12, known per se, provided with a chip. The resonant circuit 12 can be read out by means of an interrogation field generated by a reading device 14. In the resonant circuit 12, in a manner known per se, an identity code is stored which can be read out by means of the interrogation field. The acidity measured by means of the membrane 8 can also be read out by means of the interrogation field. In this example, in use, the bolus 2 will be introduced into the rumen or a different part of the gastric system of the animal. In this way, the acidity of the contents of the part of the gastric system where the sensor is located can be measured. The data about the measured acidity in the gastric system of the animal, as well as the identity code of the resonant circuit 12, which identity code has been added to the animal, can be determined by means of the reading device 14. The reading device 14 is connected with the computer 16 for storing and further processing the data about the identity and the acidity as obtained by means of the reading device 14. The computer 16 can also be formed by a farm computer, known per se, in which, further, still other data of the animals are stored. These data can, if desired, be processed in combination. Thus, the computer 16 may be connected with a feeding station 18. The reading device 14 may then be arranged, for instance, in the vicinity of the feeding station 18. When the animal, for instance a cow, goes to the feeding station 18 to feed, the identity of the animal and the acidity of the gastric system of the animέd are determined by means of the computer 16 and the reading device 14. Depending on the measured acidity, it can then be regulated how much concentrate will be supplied to the animal by means of the feeding station 18. When it appears that the environment in the gastric system is too acidic (i.e. the acidity expressed in pH is too low) the computer 16 controls the feeding station 18, such that an amount of concentrate less than is average for the animal is made available to the animal. When, conversely, it appears that the environment in the gastric system of the animal is too alkaline (i.e. the acidity expressed in pH is too high), it can even be automatically controlled with the computer 16 that by means of the feeding station 18 an amount of concentrate greater than is average for the animal is made available to the animal in question. It can also be decided, depending on the measured acidity, to furnish other types of concentrate to the animal. It is also possible that the reading device 14 is arranged in the vicinity of a rnilking robot 20 which, in this example, is likewise connected with the computer 16. In that case, the acidity is determined when the animal is milked by means of a milking robot 20. Via line 22 in this example, data about the milk yield can then be likewise applied to the computer 16 for storage and further processing. The membrane 8, as stated, is included on an outer side of a bolus 2 and closes off the bolus. An advantage of the membrane is that it uses little power and is very durable. The optochemical sensor is then adapted for detecting ions, in this case H + ions. To be considered here is, for instance, microporous teflon filled with a plasticizer in which an ionophore for nitrate is included. Also to be considered here are optochemical pH-sensitive membranes, viz. ETO, NF and CNF, which are all three provided with a protective coating. The identity of the animal can be stored, together with the measured pH value, in a database of the computer. Preferably, the acidity is measured a plurality of times spread in time by means of the pH sensor, and thus stored in the database. In this way, the course of the pH in time can be further analyzed for each animal by means of a computer. It is also possible that in the bolus a chip is included with memory locations. In this way, information about the course of the acidity in time can be written in the chip. This chip, which, as stated, can be part of the electric circuit 12, can then be read out at the time when the animal is located in the vicinity of the reading device 14. On the basis of the measured pH values, particular relationships can be established. Thus the pH value during the day says something about the fat content of the milk. The invention is not limited in any way to the embodiments outlined hereinbefore. Thus the bolus 2 can be so adapted as not to provide any identification information about the associated animal. The identification information can then be determined, for instance, on the basis of an ear button of the animal or otherwise. In this way, it is still possible to store the measured acidity together with the associated identity of the animal in the computer 16. Also, on the basis of the acidity, it can be determined whether the animal is perhaps ill. The farmer can then be warned by the farm computer 16. The farmer may then examine the animal more closely. Such variants are each understood to fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A method for measuring the acidity in a gastric system of animals such as cows, characterized in that a pH sensor is introduced into the rumen or a different part of the gastric system of an animal for determining the acidity of a contents of the part of the gastric system in which the sensor is located, while the pH sensor is adapted to enable wireless supply of the measured acidity to a reading device. 2. A method according to claim 1, characterized in that the pH sensor is mounted in a bolus. 3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pH sensor further comprises an electronic memory for recording measured values of the acidity. 4. A method according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that, depending on the acidity in the gastric system of the animal as read out, a particular amount of concentrate is supplied to an animal. 5. A method according to claim 4, characterized in that the reading device is arranged adjacent a feeding station for automatically determining how much concentrate is made available to the animal when the animal goes to the feeding station. 6. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that together with the determination of the acidity, also, in a known manner, the identity of the animal is determined. 7. A method according to claim 6, characterized in that the identity and the acidity as determined are stored in a database by means of a computer. 8. A method according to claim 7, characterized in that the acidity is determined by means of the pH sensor a plurality of times spread in time. 9. A method according to any one of the preceding claims 1-7, characterized in that the reading device is set up adjacent a rnilking robot, for determining the acidity when the animal is milked. 10. A method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pH sensor is received in a case which is provided with an optochemical membrane.

Inventors: ROOSENSCHOON PIETER LIEUWE, VERSTEGE ALBERTINO BERNARDO MA, ROOSENSCHOON, PIETER, LIEUWE, VERSTEGE, ALBERTINO, BERNARDO, MARIA
Applicants: NEDAP NV, ROOSENSCHOON PIETER LIEUWE, VERSTEGE ALBERTINO BERNARDO MA, N.V. NEDERLANDSCHE APPARATENFABRIEK NEDAP, ROOSENSCHOON, PIETER, LIEUWE, VERSTEGE, ALBERTINO, BERNARDO, MARIA
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A01K11
IPC codes: A01J5, A01K11, A61B5