Reading University has chosen a range of redeployable CCTV cameras for use in its agricultural department.
The university uses Transit cameras from Revader Security to monitor and record groups of Holstein calves on their campus farm, to detect changes in behaviour after various stimuli. Items such as broom heads, rubber teats, plastic chains and carefully positioned hay-bags are systematically included, removed and repositioned in the cattle pens. Calves are also segregated, paired or otherwise grouped, to detect any change in their behaviour due to social changes.
Video footage is recorded over about six months, then analysed using various software. It is hoped that these studies will lead to better welfare for calves and ultimately greater milk production.
Revader says that its Transit was selected for its rugged construction, IP67 environmental rating, on-board video storage in full HD for over 30 days and ability to download large files over a Wi-Fi link to a laptop. The integral infra-red lamps enable continuous video recording 24-7 and with the PTZ (Pan Tilt and Zoom) set to continuous tours of pre-set views, it provides a complete video history of all the calves in the behavioural testing.
Stuart Caldecourt, Managing Director at Revader Security said: “We were delighted to be able to supply this prestigious university with the CCTV technology they require in order to further their research. Our mobile CCTV cameras are ideally suited to environments such as these, where environmental conditions vary and high performance is paramount.”
The university is aiming to assess the results of the study at the end of the year.
