Fitbit-style technology sheds light on calf loss
Imagine a Fitbit, but for a cow. Instead of counting steps, it tracks movement patterns and behaviours.Â
CQUniversity researcher is using technology similar to the Fitbit to better understand how cows care for their calves and uncover new ways to address calf loss in northern Australia's beef industry.
Led by CQUniversity Senior Postdoctoral Research Fellow Dr Anita Chang, in partnership with the Northen Territory Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, the five-year Mooternal project is using GPS and movement sensors to investigate how maternal behaviour influences calf survival and productivity.
The project aims to identify what makes a productive mother and develop practical tools that could help producers better understand and manage calf loss across their herds.
Dr Chang said the technology was allowing researchers to monitor cattle behaviour in ways that would otherwise be impossible across the vast grazing properties of northern Australia.
"The Fitbit can tell you whether you're walking, running or resting based on your movements," Dr Chang said.
"We're applying the same principle to cows. They move in distinctive ways and, using sensor technology, we can translate those movement patterns into behaviours and better understand exactly what they're doing."
Now in its second year, the Mooternal project is developing algorithms that can detect when calf loss occurs and identify behavioural patterns and environmental factors that may contribute to those events.
Researchers recently completed the first round of trials during the 2025/26 calving season at CQUniversity's Belmont Research Station near Rockhampton and paddocks leased by the NT Department of Agriculture and Fisheries at Manbulloo Station near Katherine.
Cows and calves were fitted with GPS and accelerometer sensors that tracked their movements and interactions throughout the calving season, providing a level of insight rarely achievable through traditional observation.
"Calf loss is one of the most significant productivity challenges facing the northern beef industry," Dr Chang said.
"Understanding what happens before those losses occur is critical if we're going to reduce them."
For producers managing cattle across large and often remote properties, observing calving events and early calf behaviour can be difficult.
One of the project's early discoveries has been the extent of "cross-mothering" behaviour within herds.
"One of the things that has really surprised us is how much cross-mothering is occurring," Dr Chang said.
"We've observed cows investing in the survival of calves that aren't their own, including allowing multiple calves to nurse from them.
"It raises fascinating questions about maternal investment and whether calf survival is influenced not only by the relationship between a cow and her calf, but also by wider herd dynamics and social interactions."
Dr Chang said these insights could help researchers better understand factors affecting calf survival in extensive grazing systems.
"Quite frankly, there is still a lot we don't know," she said.
"Many producers may only handle their cattle once or twice a year, so there can be a lot happening between these observations.
"These sensors allow us to build a much clearer picture of what the animals are doing day to day and potentially what happened in the lead-up to a calf loss."
The first phase of the project focused on developing and testing algorithms capable of interpreting sensor data and identifying meaningful behavioural patterns.
Early results have been promising, with researchers now preparing to validate the technology across a wider range of conditions.
Additional trials will take place at Belmont Research Station and Manbulloo Station during the 2026/27 calving season before the technology is tested on commercial properties during 2027/28 and 2028/29.
Dr Chang said expanding beyond research stations would be essential to ensure the technology is effective across northern Australia's diverse production systems.
"We have different cattle breeds, environments and management systems, so it's important these tools work in real-world conditions, not just in research settings," she said.
The long-term goal is to integrate the algorithms into commercially available livestock monitoring technology, giving producers access to new information about when and where calf losses occur and what factors may be contributing to them.
The technology could help producers identify trends within their herds and make more informed management decisions, with the potential to improve calf survival, productivity and profitability.
Producer involvement will be a key focus as the project progresses towards commercial testing.
"We want to develop tools that are genuinely useful and practical for producers," Dr Chang said.
"By working directly with industry, we can better understand what information producers value and how it can fit into their day-to-day decision-making."
Mooternal will continue through to 2030, with the next phase focused on validating the algorithms across different environments and herds before expanding the research onto commercial properties.
Mooternal: The Impact of Maternal Investment on Calf Productivity and Survival is led by CQUniversity in partnership with the Northern Territory Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and funded by Meat & Livestock Australia.
