SBIR-STTR Award

The overall goal is to develop a load sensitive device for subcutaneous implantation which will electronically record the event of standing to be mounted in dairy cattle. Information stored by the device can be retrieved through an external electronic interrogation system. The device will be inserted subcutaneously (local anesthesia will be required) dorsal to the juncture of the sacrum and the first caudal vertebra. It will be permanently fixed under the skin for the productive lifetime of the cow. Following standing activity by the cow in estrus, the load sensitive device will be in an tactive statet for a sufficient period of time (14 hours) for an interrogation system to retrieve the stored information and interpret that a cow has participated in the standing activity. The rationale for a 14 hour active state is that this period of time will guarantee that the cow will pass through the milking parlor at least once. With complementary display equipment, animals in estrus can be identified and can be targeted for artificial insemination at the optimum time. Interrogation systems can be located at the entrance of a milking parlor or at computerized feeding stations and can also be incorporated into hand held units.Applications:If only 10 percent of dairy cows in the U.S. were equipped with the proposed technology, we estimate that over $150 million will be saved by U.S. dairy producers over a three year period. The total cost of using the technology will be less than S50 million during this same time period. Very few innovations can have such an immediate and significant economic impact to the dairy producer.

Our overall goal is to develop a load sensitive electronic device for subcutaneous implantation which will be operative for the productive life-time of the dairy cow. The device will electronically record the event of standing-to-be-mounted. During the Phase I period we have demonstrated feasibility of the concept in the separate components of the system. Our Phase I research has demonstrated that a Piezo film mounted to the interior of a stainless steel subcutaneous implantable device (SQUID) can detect pressure associated with mounting and is unique to this event. The stainless steel SQUID is biocompatible. A highly efficient rapid installation process has been developed. Phase II will enable us to merge the components of the system and subject them to rigorous filed testing. The experimental goals for Phase II are as follows: 1) To produce prototype SQUIDs containing active electronic circuits which can store animal identifica ion and pressure information for later interrogation, 2) To modify an existing interrogation unit so that external interrogation can be accomplished, 3) To implant these prototypes in cattle in commercial dairy enterprises and prove that this system will be more effective in the detection of estrus than conventional management approaches.

Anticipated Results:
This technology has an excellent chance of contributing significantly to the economic well being of the dairy producer. If only 10 percent of dairy cow in the U.S. were equipped with the proposed technology, we estimate that over $150 million will be saved by U.S. dairy producers over a three year period. The total cost of using the technology will be less than $50 million during this same time period. Very few innovations can have such rapid and significant economic impact to the dairy producer.