University of Florida Researchers Develop Open-Source Software for Tracking and Visualizing Dairy Cattle Movement

Strategic Insights -

Researchers from the University of Florida have created an open-source computer vision software tool called AnimalMotionViz that allows users to track and visualize group-level dairy cattle movement patterns using motion maps. The tool uses background subtraction algorithms to identify and track animal motion patterns in real-time, providing valuable insights into space utilization and occupation in barns. According to the researchers, the software can be used to analyze dairy cattle data, but its design also provides potential for broader application in studying the movement patterns of other animal species.

Key Takeaways:

  • The AnimalMotionViz software tool was developed to track and visualize group-level dairy cattle movement patterns using motion maps.
  • The tool uses background subtraction algorithms to identify and track animal motion patterns in real-time.
  • The software processes each frame of the input video and identifies the background and foreground using OpenCV algorithms.
  • Foreground objects are subtracted from the background across all frames and cumulatively overlaid on an empty mask image to visualize the intensity or frequency of motion across different regions.
  • The user can generate a space-use distribution map in an image and video, a core and full-range map in an image, and also track specific regional motion with a custom mask.
  • The software returns the top 3 peak intensity locations, the total percentage of regions used, and the within-quadrant percentage of regions used.
  • In four 5-min sample videos, quadrants with peak intensity of space use, as identified using the software, aligned with quadrants where calves spent the greatest duration of time.
  • The space-use distribution and core and full-range maps generated by AnimalMotionViz can be used to understand space utilization or space occupation by dairy cattle.
  • The research concluded that the newly developed AnimalMotionViz is a user-friendly and efficient tool to support research developments in precision livestock farming.
  • Broad application of the software tool is possible in studying the movement patterns of other animal species.

Statistics:

  • Four 5-min sample videos were used to test the software.
  • The software identified quadrants with peak intensity of space use in alignment with quadrants where calves spent the greatest duration of time.
  • The tool processed each frame of the input video in real-time using OpenCV algorithms.
  • The user can generate a space-use distribution map in an image and video, a core and full-range map in an image, and also track specific regional motion with a custom mask.

Sources:

  • AnimalMotionViz: An interactive software tool for tracking and visualizing animal motion patterns using computer vision. JDS Communications, 2025,6(3):416-421.
  • VerticalNews report: "University of Florida Researchers Add New Study Findings to Research in Agriculture (AnimalMotionViz: An interactive software tool for tracking and visualizing animal motion patterns using computer vision)". Computer Weekly News. May 21, 2025; p 892.
  • University of Florida press release: "New Software Tool Tracks Dairy Cattle Movement Patterns".