W.RDE.0008 - Automated Sheep Counting on Mobile Devices
There are strict regulations around the number of animals allowed on a livestock export ship.
| Project start date: |
07 December 2021 |
| Project end date: |
30 December 2022 |
| Publication date: |
05 March 2024 |
| Project status: |
Completed |
| Livestock species: |
Sheep, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: |
National, International
|
Summary
There are strict regulations around the number of animals allowed on a livestock export ship. With truckloads of sheep being loaded one after the other, keeping an accurate count is a highly skilled and intensive task.
Objectives
- Develop a portable and wireless system to support the sheep counting technology (using the existing software).
- Validate that the system can generate the same levels of accuracy in live trials under a variety of situations, including weather and lighting.
Key findings
- Automated sheep counting technology has been developed using artificial intelligence, via a system using a video camera mounted over the loading ramp of a livestock vessel.
- This project built on the original product to create a wireless and portable system that can be used in more locations and for various applications.
Benefits to industry
- Automated sheep counting technology provides independent verification of the number of sheep loaded onto export ships and reduces the human resources required to count sheep.
- Developing a wireless and portable system allows the technology to be used in a greater variety of locations and situations, including feedlots and saleyards.
