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EmailIphone Application    Posted: 14th May 2013
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Tracking system monitors health
Mobile application sends health data

An innovative system known as CowView could help to improve bovine welfare, as it allows each animal in a herd to be tracked, with location and behavioural alerts sent to the farmer's PC, tablet or smartphone.

The system allows for continual analysis of the animal's position and behaviour, having significant implications for herd health management, as it can alert farmers to unusual behaviour which could be indicative of ill health.

As smaller farms are consolidating to meet the increasing demands, GEA Technologies and Zebra Technologies Corporation have collaborated on the innovative system which could act as an early warning sign for health issues.

GEA collaborated closely with Zebra to create CowView, using real time location solutions (RTLS) to help farmers meet the demands of larger herds.

The CowView tag is hung from each animal's neck using specially designed collars. This tag then transmits the animal's location and activity to the preferred device of the farmer - PC, tablet or smartphone - via stationary sensors.

Jill Stelfox from Zebra said: "For the first time, farmers can now obtain a full and continuous analysis of the position and behaviour of each individual cow and use this knowledge to ensure the wellbeing of their animals."

CowView is currently monitoring 4000 cows across seven farms in Germany, the Netherlands and Denmark, and is now being installed in farms in the UK and Scandinavia.

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.