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Research project aims to revolutionise dairy goat welfare monitoring using wearable sensor technology聽

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A pioneering research project is underway to explore the use of wearable sensor technology for improving the health, welfare, and management of dairy goats.  

The project is led by 天美视频 researcher Dr Holly Vickery with Dr Gemma Charlton - both from the Animal Behaviour and Welfare Research group - alongside Dr Zoe Barker of Reading University and is in collaboration with the technology company SmartBell. 

Funding has been provided by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council UK, in collaboration with the Animal Welfare Research Network. 

Dairy goats are becoming increasingly important in global agriculture, with herd sizes and intensive farming practices on the rise.  

Despite their significance, goats remain underrepresented in technology and welfare research. This study addresses that gap by assessing whether wearable sensors—widely used in dairy cattle—can reliably monitor key goat behaviours like lying, feeding, and rumination. 

Dr Vickery said: “Monitoring animals as individuals, rather than as groups, is essential to ensure high welfare standards.  

“Wearable sensor technologies offer an innovative way to track the wellbeing of each animal without increasing labour demands.  For goats, this could mean early detection of health issues, better responses to environmental stressors such as heat, and more efficient, precise management strategies.” 

The study has three objectives – to explore current knowledge of wearable technology within the dairy goat industry and identify perceived barriers, to validate the effectiveness of ear tag sensors in monitoring goat behaviours on a commercial farm, and to co-develop a roadmap for future technology implementation and research priorities with industry. 

The project includes a comprehensive on-farm validation trial with 40 SmartBell eartags  - which are normally used for calves - fitted onto goats on a farm in Somerset.  

Roger Longman of Whitelake Cheese is the farmer who volunteered the use of his goats for the study.  

He said: “I'm excited to be part of the future of goat farming and can’t wait for these new tools to be available to improve animal welfare.” 

The Milking Goat Association have been supporting the researchers, with Chairman Gary Yeoman particularly pleased to see goat research being funded. 

He added: “It’s great to be involved with a trial of this type of wearable sensor technology for goats. Hopefully it will lead to more widespread use in Dairy Goats, improving both animal welfare and productivity.” 
To ensure the project reflects real-world perspectives, the research team are inviting anyone involved with small ruminants – such as dairy sheep or goats - to participate in a short online survey.  

They want to gather a wide array of views including from farm owners, farm workers, veterinarians, industry advisors and wider industry stakeholders. Insights gathered will help shape the design and deployment of sensor technology in the sector. 

To take the survey, vist:   

_{The project not only aims to improve productivity and welfare in dairy small ruminant farming but also lays the groundwork for future research into early-warning systems for health and welfare issues.}  

_{The team is actively seeking funding opportunities and collaborators for the next phase of development.}  

_{A free industry workshop including lunch and visit to the study farm will be taking place on the July 17 at the South West Dairy centre at the Bath and West showground. Find out more and sign up for the workshop and farm visit at:}  

_{For further information on the survey or the workshop – or about the project more widely - please contact Dr Holly Vickery on hvickery@harper-adams.ac.uk}