Precision Livestock Farming: Monitoring Cattle Growth using UAV-based LiDAR and RGB Data

Researchers from Wageningen University and Research have developed a system for monitoring cattle growth on an individual level using an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-based Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) system. The study, published in Scientific Data, utilized 96 semi-free-range beef cattle and obtained data on their growth, including body measurements and volumes. The researchers also collected ground-based camera data to corroborate the live body weight of the cattle. The dataset generated holds significant potential for research in cattle monitoring using three-dimensional methods.

Key Takeaways:

• The research utilized an UAV-based LiDAR system to monitor the growth of 96 semi-free-range beef cattle.
• The study processed point clouds from the LiDAR system to segment individual cattle with both standing and lying postures.
• Concurrently, UAV-based RGB data underwent instance segmentation, categorizing cattle images at an individual level.
• The research also collected ground-based camera data to corroborate the live body weight of the cattle.
• The dataset generated holds significant potential for research in cattle monitoring using three-dimensional methods.
• The study included body measurements (such as height, width, and length), and volumes of point clouds.
• The research concluded that the comprehensive dataset can facilitate the evaluation of the live body weight of cattle.

Statistics:

• The study utilized 96 semi-free-range beef cattle.
• The LiDAR system collected data on the growth of each cattle, including body measurements and volumes.
• The study processed 96 individual point clouds.
• The research collected ground-based camera data on the cattle weighing process.

Sources:

• Integrated unmanned aerial vehicle-based LiDAR and RGB data for individual cattle growth monitoring in precision livestock farming. Scientific Data, 2025;12(1):1318.
• Yaowu Wang, Laboratory of Geo-information Science and Remote Sensing, Wageningen University and Research, Wageningen, 6708PB, Netherlands.
• Lammert Kooistra, Sander Mucher, and Wensheng Wang, Wageningen University and Research.