New Zealand agricultural firm AgResearch is exploring whether cows can be toilet-trained.
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Scientists at AgResearch, the New Zealand agricultural innovation firm, are exploring the possibility of training cattle to use a specially designed toilet in effort to reduce nitrogen losses on farms.
Dr Luke Cooney, a scientist on the team, hopes it will help “to mitigate the environmental impacts of dairy farming”.
How it works
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The research began with a trial using eight calves which were moved to a "potty" stall which had a remote-controlled feeding station at one end. The calves were then rewarded for urinating or defecating in front of the feeding station.
Potty stalls with a couple of attendees while the rest of the herd graze. \ AgResearch
The trial lasted for six weeks and was composed of over 60 training sessions in total. The calves were then given free access to the stalls and tested on whether they would enter to urinate or defecate.
Further data analyses in the coming months will decide on the level of success for the project in its efforts to “potty train” the calves. If the project is successful, it is hoped it may improve hygiene in dairy sheds and give farmers greater control over slurry application on pasture.
The ‘potty’ stalls getting some use. \ AgResearch
The current potty stalls are an early prototype and there are plans to develop a fully automated system that can detect urination and defecation events in a target zone and dispense rewards.
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Scientists at AgResearch, the New Zealand agricultural innovation firm, are exploring the possibility of training cattle to use a specially designed toilet in effort to reduce nitrogen losses on farms.
Dr Luke Cooney, a scientist on the team, hopes it will help “to mitigate the environmental impacts of dairy farming”.
How it works
The research began with a trial using eight calves which were moved to a "potty" stall which had a remote-controlled feeding station at one end. The calves were then rewarded for urinating or defecating in front of the feeding station.
Potty stalls with a couple of attendees while the rest of the herd graze. \ AgResearch
The trial lasted for six weeks and was composed of over 60 training sessions in total. The calves were then given free access to the stalls and tested on whether they would enter to urinate or defecate.
Further data analyses in the coming months will decide on the level of success for the project in its efforts to “potty train” the calves. If the project is successful, it is hoped it may improve hygiene in dairy sheds and give farmers greater control over slurry application on pasture.
The ‘potty’ stalls getting some use. \ AgResearch
The current potty stalls are an early prototype and there are plans to develop a fully automated system that can detect urination and defecation events in a target zone and dispense rewards.
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