Distinguishing True from False Estrus in Hanwoo Cows Using Neck-Mounted IMU Sensors: Quantifying Behavioral Differences to Reduce False Positives

Seong-Jin Kim, Xue-Cheng Jin, Rajaraman Bharanidharan and Na-Yeon Kim ()
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Seong-Jin Kim: Asia Pacific Ruminant Institute, Icheon 17385, Republic of Korea
Xue-Cheng Jin: Asia Pacific Ruminant Institute, Icheon 17385, Republic of Korea
Rajaraman Bharanidharan: Department of Eco-Friendly Livestock Science, Institutes of Green Bio Science and Technology, Seoul National University, Pyeongchang 25354, Republic of Korea
Na-Yeon Kim: Asia Pacific Ruminant Institute, Icheon 17385, Republic of Korea

Agriculture, 2025, vol. 15, issue 21, 1-15

Abstract: This study aimed to characterize behavioral differences between true estrus (TE) and false estrus (FE) in cows using neck-mounted six-axis inertial measurement unit sensors to reduce false positives in automated detection systems. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 1464 validated estrus alerts from 414 Hanwoo cows across 13 commercial farms in South Korea. Alerts were classified as TE (625 alerts) or FE (839 alerts) based on comprehensive validation criteria, including standing heat observation, artificial insemination records, ovulation confirmation, and pregnancy outcomes. Mounting activity, rumination time, and lying time were analyzed. True estrus exhibited significantly higher ( p < 0.0001) total number of mounts and maximum mounting duration compared to FE over the entire observation period. Notably, the maximum number of mounts per hour was higher ( p < 0.0001) in FE before alert generation but higher ( p < 0.0001) in TE afterward, with FE declining rapidly. Coefficients of variation for rumination and lying time were significantly higher ( p < 0.0001) in TE than in FE, indicating greater behavioral disruption. These findings revealed that secondary behavioral signs exhibit distinct quantitative and temporal patterns between TE and FE, suggesting potential criteria that could be integrated into automated detection algorithms to reduce false-positive rates.

Keywords: estrus detection; false positive; accelerometer; secondary behavioral signs; mounting behavior; Hanwoo cows (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q1 Q10 Q11 Q12 Q13 Q14 Q15 Q16 Q17 Q18 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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