SAES-422 Multistate Research Activity Accomplishments Report

Sections

Status: Approved

Basic Information

Participants

 Yang Zhao, University of Tennessee, yzhao@utk.edu  Tami Brown-Brandl, University of Nebraska, tbrownbrandl2@unl.edu  Jeremiah Davis, Auburn University, Jeremiah.Davis@auburn.edu  Sushil Paudyal, Texas A&M University, sushilpaudyale@tamu.edu  Hector Santiago, University of Nebraska, hsandiago@unl.edu  Jianfeng Zhou, University of Missouri, j.zhou@missouri.edu  Juan Steibel, Iowa State University, jsteibel@iastate.edu  Tiago Bresolin, UIUC, bresolin@illinois.edu  Haipeng Yu, University of Florida, haipengyu@ufl.edu  Hector Menendez, South Dakota State University, hector.menendez@sdstate.edu  Courtney Daigle, Texas A&M University, cdaigle@tamu.edu  Joao Dorea, UW-Madison, joao.dorea@wisc.edu  Enrico Casella, Penn State, casella@psu.edu  Tom Tabler, University of Tennessee, gtabler@utk.edu  Lingjuan Wang-Li, NC State University, lwang5@ncsu.edu  Madonna Benjamin, Michigan State University, gemus@msu.edu  Yijie Xiong, University of Nebraska, yijie.xiong@unl.edu  Marcia Endres, University of Minnesota, miendres@umn.edu  Prafulla Regmi, University of Georgia, pr01814@uga.edu  Edison Magalhaes, Iowa State University, edison@iastate.edu  Daniel Morris, Michigan State University, dmorris@msu.edu  Yuzhi Li, University of Minnesota, yuzhili@umn.edu o Non-members  Christina Hamilton, agInnovation North Central, christina.hamilton@wisc.edu  Diego Xavier, Embrapa/UIUC, diegobx@illinois.edu  Carson Edge, Auburn University, carson.edge@auburn.edu  Xianghuan He, University of Missouri, xhh2c@umsystem.edu  Shiva Paudel, University of Nebraska, spaudel@huskers.unl.edu  Veronica Pacheco, University of Nebraska, veronica.pacheco@unl.edu  Madison Bacon, Texas A&M University, mbacon@tamu.edu  Raj Sharma, UNL, raj.sharma@unl.edu  Maria Montes, UW-Madison, montesgonzal@wisc.edu  Guilherme Menezes, UW-Madison, lobatomeneze@wisc.edu  Gustavo Mazon, UV-Madison, gustavo.mazon@wisc.edu  Tadeu Silva, University of Vermont, tadeu.da-silva@uvm.edu  Luara Freitas, UW-Madison  Diego Leal, University of Nebraska  Raphael Mantovani, UW-Madison

Agenda and Minutes - See attached file for report with tables and pictures.

  • 8:00 - 8:10 AM | Introduction

We started with a self-introduction of all participants 

  • 8:10 - 8:15 AM | Welcome and Opening Remarks — Tami Brown-Brandl 
  • 8:15 - 8:25 AM | NIMSS and Multistate Project 

Christina Hamilton provided an overview of multistate research projects, covering expectations for project participation, supporting federal legislation, research capacity at 1862 Land-Grant Universities, and FY2024 Hatch funding at both the national and North Central region levels. She also discussed project reporting requirements, the role of Regional Associations and SAES Directors in Hatch Multistate Research Funding, agInnovation North Central, hatch multistate research and committees, committee responsibilities, and ways to join multistate committee. Notably, she emphasized that the project’s annual report must be submitted within 60 days following the annual meeting.

 8:25 - 8:35 AM | Updates of NC1211 

Yang Zhao provided an overview and updates on NC1211. He reviewed the project’s history, introduced its leadership, outlined the project objectives, and summarized participant distribution by region, domain, and role. He also highlighted the group’s collaborative efforts on publications and joint projects. Additionally, he emphasized the importance of timely submission of station reports. To streamline the process and ensure consistency in content and format, a Google Form will be developed for station report submissions. 

  • 8:35 - 9:30 AM | Station Reports and Presentations — Project Participants 
  • Jeremiah Davis – Updates from Auburn University
  • Tiago Bresolin – NC1211 Meeting 2025 Illinois Station Accomplishments
  • Juan Steibel – Iowa State University: NC1211 Precision Management of Animals Station Report 
  • 9:30 - 9:40 AM | Break & Group Photo 
  • 9:40 - 11:30 AM | Station Reports and Presentations — Project Participants
    • Hector Menendez - Updates from South Dakota State University
    • Sushil Paudyal & Courtney Daigle – Updates from Texas A&M
    • Jianfeng Zhou – Report from University of Missouri “Leveraging robotic imaging technology to improve swine reproduction and sustainability”
    • Tami Brown-Brandl – Updates from University of Nebraska
    • Joao Dorea & team – Updates from University of Wisconsin-Madison
    • Enrico Casella – Research and background – PennState
    • Haipeng Yu – Updates from University of Florida
    • Madonna Benjamin & Daniel Morris – Updates from Michigan State University 
  • 11:30 - 11:45 AM | Roundtable Discussion — Project Participants
    • NC1211 Project rewriting
    • Collaboration opportunities

 Due to time constraints, the discussion on project rewriting and collaboration opportunities was rescheduled for the evening. Yang Zhao, Tami Brown-Brandl, Courtney Daigle, Jianfeng Zhou, John Linhoss, and Joao Dorea participated. The discussion focused on forming a project rewriting team, establishing a timeline for the rewrite, and creating a Google Form to facilitate and standardize station report submissions. A whole-day annual meeting, instead of half day, was also discussed to allow both station reports and group discussion. 

  • Officer election - Hector Menendez was elected as the incoming Secretary, and Joao Costa moved into the role of Chair. 
  • Planning for the next meeting - The next annual meeting is planned to be held in conjunction with ECPLF 2026 in Valencia, Spain. 
  • Other business - Marcia Endres announced Precision Dairy Conference scheduled in June 17-18, 2025 in Bloomington, MN.
NC1211AnnualReport_2025July_A.pdf

Accomplishments

Station reports were collected from 8 stations. The information from these reports was summarized into the accomplishments of the NC1211 multistate project during the reporting period, as listed below. These accomplishments reflect collaborative efforts and outcomes involving two or more participating stations.

 

Station Name: Iowa State University

 

Station members

 

Multistate Collaborative Research Publications

  • 1
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Grebey, T., Bongiorno, V., Han, J., Steibel, J., & Siegford, J. M. (2025). Maximum vertical height during wing flapping of laying hens captured with a depth camera. PloS one, 20(3), e0312656.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Michigan State University
  • 2
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Kapoor, M., Ventura, E. S., Walsh, A., Sokolov, A., George, N., Kumari, S., ... & Tuggle, C. K. (2024). Building a FAIR data ecosystem for incorporating single-cell transcriptomics data into agricultural genome to phenome research. Frontiers in Genetics, 15, 1460351.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Missouri, USDA, Lawrence Berkley National Lab
  • 3
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Cavani, L., Novo, L. C., Reyes, F. S., Nascimento, B. M., VandeHaar, M. J., Tempelman, R. J., ... & Peñagaricano, F. (2025). Associations between body temperature and feed efficiency traits in lactating Holstein cows. JDS communications, 6(2), 256-260.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Wisconsin, University of Florida, Michigan State University
  • 4
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Suazo, I., Xiang, L., wang-li, L., Johnson, A. K., & Leonard, S. M. (2025). 201 Evaluating the impact of thermal conditions on behavior in feeder pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 103(Supplement_1), 37-38.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: North Carolina State University

 

Future Directions: We have planned collaborations with several institutions including Michigan State, Wisconsin, Nebraska, and USDA. Some research initiatives include exploring machine visions systems for pig and cattle behavior monitoring, environmental monitoring inside livestock facilities, developing data science, data analytic, and other software techniques to big data.

 

Station Name: Michigan State University

 

Station members

 

Multistate Collaborative Research Publications

  • 1
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Guest Editors: Zhao Y, Berckmans D, Gan H, Ramirez B, Siegford J, Wang-Li L, Burns R. 2024. Special Issue: 2nd U.S. Precision Livestock Farming Conference. Animals. https://www.mdpi.com/journal/animals/special_issues/4DMQ6B7A73. https://doi.org/10.3390/ani14071128
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Tennessee, Iowa State University, North Carolina State University
  • 2
    • Type of the Publication: Conference proceedings
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Akinyemi BE, Turner SP, Akaichi F, Benjamin ME, Johnson, AK, Pairis-Garcia MD, Rozeboom DW, Steibel JP, Thompson DP, Zangaro C, Jessiman L, Siegford JM. 2024. Understanding the intention of US swine farmers to adopt, their actual adoption, and the intention of US veterinarians to recommend Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) technologies. Precision Livestock Farming 2024: Papers Presented at the 11th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, Bologna, Italy, 9-12 September 2024. 11:400-408.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Iowa State University, Scotland's Rural College, North Carolina State University
  • 3
    • Type of the Publication: Conference proceedings
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Akinyemi BE, Siegford JM. 2024. United States public’s attitudinal acceptance of precision livestock farming technologies in the swine industry. Precision Livestock Farming 2024: Papers Presented at the 11th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, Bologna, Italy, 9-12 September 2024. 11:409-417.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: None
  • 4
    • Type of the Publication: Conference proceedings
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Morris D, Long Y, Ali A, Siegford J. 2024. LED Arrays to Reduce Poultry Piling. Precision Livestock Farming 2024: Papers Presented at the 11th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, Bologna, Italy9-12 September 2024. 11:374-381.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Clemson
  • 5
    • Type of the Publication: Extension publication
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Siegford JM. 2024. Chapter 20: Precision livestock farming and technology in pig husbandry. In: Advances in Pig Welfare, 2nd Ed. (eds. I. Camerlink & E. Baxter). Woodhead Publishing. Pp. 449-469. doi:10.1016/B978-0-323-85676-8.00015-8.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: none
  • 6
    • Type of the Publication: Abstract
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Long Y, Siegford JM, Morris D. 2024. Automatic detection of piling in poultry. Proceedings of the 2024 ASABE Annual International Meeting, Anaheim, California. (poster)
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: None
  • 7
    • Type of the Publication: Abstract
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Ma X, Siegford J, Jacobs J, Swanson J, Widowski T, Ali A. 2024. Using accelerometers to monitor laying hen activity at three different ages in two styles of multi-tiered aviaries. Proceedings of the 2024 Poultry Science Association Meeting, Lexington, KY. pp167-168. (poster)
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Guelph, Clemson University
  • 8
    • Type of the Publication: Abstract
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Petek M, Siegford J. 2024. Using a transect approach to assess behavior and welfare of laying hens in aviary tiers during peak lay. Proceedings of the 2024 International Poultry Scientific Forum, Atlanta, GA. (poster)
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Uludag University
  • 9
    • Type of the Publication: Extension publication
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Siegford J, Akinyemi BA. 2024. How do swine producers and veterinarians think precision livestock farming could help farms? ï‚  MSU Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/how-producers-vets-think-precision-livestock-farming-help-farms ï‚  Swineweb. https://www.swineweb.com/ag-tech/how-do-swine-producers-and-veterinarians-think-precision-livestock-farming-could-help-farms/
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: none
  • 10
    • Type of the Publication: Extension publication
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Siegford J, Akinyemi BA. 2024. What drives swine producers to buy into precision livestock farming technology? ï‚  MSU Extension. https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/what-drives-swine-producers-to-buy-into-precision-livestock-farming-technology
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: none

 

Multistate Collaborative Research Grants

 

  • 1
    • Title/Official Name: USDA NIFA AFRI—Social Implications of Food and Agricultural Technologies. Akinyemi BA, Siegford JM, Douglas H. Building trust in precision livestock farming using public engagement techniques. $650,000.
    • Status: Pending
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: None
  • 2
    • Title/Official Name: USDA NIFA AFRI—IDEAS. Benjamin M, Morris D, McLaughlin N, Manzanilla E, Kyriazakis I, Pairis-Garcia M, Brown-Brandl T, Knauer M, Muns R, Ferry E, Beltranena E, Hovey R, Farmer C, Boyle L. $1,000,000. Tripartite: Automated Piglet and Sow Monitoring for Early Detection of At-Risk Piglets. 09/2024-08/2028
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: North Carolina State University, University of Nebraska Lincoln, UC Davis, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute, Queens University, Animal and Grassland Research and Innovation Center.
  • 3
    • Title/Official Name: USDA NIFA Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Competitive Grants Program—Food and Agriculture Cyberinformatics and Tools. Steibel JP, Brown-Brandl T, Rosa GJ, Siegford JM, Psota E, Dorea J, Benjamin M, Morris D, Norton T. $1,000,000. FACT-CIN: A Coordinated Innovation Network For Advancing Computer Vision In Precision Livestock Farming. 4/21-3/26.
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Iowa State University, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, University of Wisconsin, PIC North America, PIC North America, M3-BIORES
  • 4
    • Title/Official Name: Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture. Morris D, Siegford J, Ali A. $150,000. Automated targeted interventions to reduce eggs laid in the litter. 6/2022-12/2024.
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Clemson University
  • 5
    • Title/Official Name: Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture. Yang, X, Morris D, Siegford J, Ali A. $150,000. Encouraging and Directing Behavior Patterns of Cage-Free Poultry. 6/2024-5/2026.
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Clemson University
  • 6
    • Title/Official Name: USDA Agriculture & Food Research Initiative. D Morris, Brown-Brandl T., Benjamin M, Rohrer G. $590,000. An Automated Swine Phenotyping Tool to Advance Management, Research and Genetics. 8/2022-8/2026
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • 7
    • Title/Official Name: 2. PI - Michigan Alliance for Animal Agriculture. Benjamin M, Ferry E, Brown-Brandl T. $147,454. The Cost of Comfort - Establishing the Thermal Neutral Zone of Modern Hyperprolific Sows. 06/2024-05/2026
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

 

Station Name: North Carolina State University

 

Station members

 

Multistate Collaborative Research Projects

  • 1
    • Title/Official Name: Proactive Pig Production (P3): Animal-centric AI for Indoor Environmental Control to Optimize Productivity, Welfare, and Sustainability
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Iowa State University
    • Description: The project is to fill this gap and fundamentally change the existing swine production environmental control system from sensor-based reactive to animal-based and AI-powered proactive intervention system

 

Station Name: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

 

Station members

  • Isabella Condotta (icfsc@illinois.edu) (Head for the NC1211)
  • Tiago Bresolin (bresolin@illinois.edu)

 

Multistate Collaborative Research Publications

  • 1
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Negreiro, A.; Bresolin, T.; Ferreira, R.; Dado-Senn, B.; Van Os, J.; Laporta, J.; Dorea, J. Leveraging Computer Vision Systems for Monitoring Hutch-housed Dairy Calves. Journal of Dairy Science, 2025.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • 2
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Ribeiro, L.; Menezes, G.; Bresolin, T.; Arriola Apelo, S.; Dorea, J. Using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy to predict urinary allantoin in dairy cows. JDS Communications, v.6, p.212-216, 2025.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • 3
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Ferreira, R.E.P.; Balaguer, M.A.L.; Bresolin, T.; Chandra, R.; Rosa, G.J.M.; White, H.M.; Dorea, J. Multi-modal machine learning for the early detection of metabolic disorder in dairy cows using a cloud computing framework. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, v.227, p.1-15, 2024.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • 4
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Vang, A.; Bresolin, T.; Waneska, F.; Compolina, J.; Menezes, G.; Rosa, G.; Dorea, J.; Hernandez, L. Monitoring mammary gland development in preweaned dairy heifers using ultrasound imaging. JDS Communications, v., p., 2024.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • 5
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Oliveira, D.A.B.; Bresolin, T.; Coelho, S.G.; Campos, M.M.; Lage, C.F.A.; Leao, J.M.; Pereira, L.G.R.; Hernandez, L.; Dorea, J.R.R. A polar transformation augmentation approach for enhancing mammary gland segmentation in ultrasound images. Computers and Electronics in Agriculture, v.220, p.1-8, 2024.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • 6
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Perttu, R.K.; Peiter, M.; Bresolin, T.; Dorea, J.R.R.; Endre, M.I. Predictive models for disease detection in group-housed preweaned dairy calves using data collected from automated milk feeders. Journal of Dairy Science, v.107, p.331-341, 2024.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Minnesota Twin Cities
  • 7
    • Type of the Publication: Abstract
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Elluru, V.; Sallam, A.M.; Alves, A.; Bresolin, T. Towards Unsupervised Latent Representations for Cattle Image Segmentation. Proceedings of the 3rd U.S. Precision Livestock Farming Conference, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, 2025.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Georgia
  • 8
    • Type of the Publication: Abstract
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Ferreira, R.; Bresolin, T.; Holdorf, H.T.; White, H.M.; Dorea, J.R.R. Early detection of subclinical ketosis in Holstein dairy cows using computer vision and recurrent neural networks. Proceedings of the American Dairy Science Association Meeting, West Palm Beach, Florida, USA, 2024.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Wisconsin-Madison
  • 9
    • Type of the Publication: Abstract
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Negreiro, A.; Alves, A.A.C.; Ferreira, R.; Bresolin, T.; Rosa, G. J. M.; Dorea, J. R. R. Siamese Networks for open-set identification of Holstein cattle during growth and across different physiological stages. European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming Meeting, Bolagna, Italy, 2024.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Wisconsin-Madison and University of Georgia
  • 10
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Rahman, M.; Souza, V. H. S.; Brown-Brandl, T. M.; Rohrer, G. A.; Shi, Y.; Condotta, I. C. F. S. Accelerating Sow Nursing Behavior and Activity Monitoring with Modified YOLO11n Architecture and TensorRT Integration. Porcine Health Management. 2025
    • Status: Under review
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Nebraska-Lincoln
  • 11
    • Type of the Publication: Abstract
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Rahman, M.; Souza, V. H. S.; Brown-Brandl, T. M.; Rohrer, G.; Shi, Y.; Condotta, I.C. F. S. Automated Monitoring of Sow Nursing Behaviors in Farrowing Crates Through Computer Vision Techniques. Proceedings of the 3rd U.S. Precision Livestock Farming Conference, Lincoln, Nebraska, USA, 2025.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Nebraska-Lincoln

 

Multistate Collaborative Research Product

  • 1
    • Title/Official Name: Integrating Image-Based Social Behaviors And Genomic Data To Enhance Genetic Selection Decision Of Beef Cattle Production Efficiency Traits
    • Status: Pending
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Texas A&M University
    • Description: Our goals it to: 1) Determine social behaviors in beef cattle using spatial and temporal location data generated by an automated vision-based monitoring system, 2) Train undergraduate students in precision livestock farming skills, preparing them to become the next generation of graduate students and industry leaders, and 3) Evaluate the contribution of social genetics effects to the total breeding values of efficiency and production traits in beef cattle. Collectively, these efforts will lead to more efficient, productive, and data-driven cattle management and breeding practices.

 

Future Directions:

  • Resubmit the research project if it is not funded in collaboration with the Texas A&M University station
  • Publish ongoing research publication that involves the University of Georgia and the University of Wisconsin-Madison stations
  • Publish peer-reviewed papers currently in preparation involving the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

 

Station Name: University of Minnesota

 

Station Members

 

Multistate Collaborative Research Projects

  • 1
    • Title/Official Name: Computer Vision System Enables Continuous, Individual-Level Behavioral Monitoring in Swine Research Environments
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Nebraska
    • Description: NUtrack, developed by the University of Nebraska, was installed above pens to record and process posture (lying, sitting, standing), activity (walking distance), and resource use (feeder and drinker visits) for each individual pig in the pen. The system uses machine vision and deep learning to detect and track individual pigs in group housing. Data were collected continuously for the study period (12-14 weeks) across multiple experimental treatments, including group size and litter origin (social composition), to identify behavioral changes that precede tail-biting outbreaks. Manual video review and NUtrack behavioral data enabled researchers to identify pigs involved in tail-biting events (biters, victims, and controls). Tail biters were predominantly gilts and exhibited lower average daily gain and lighter final weights than non-biters. Biting events occurred most frequently in the morning and late afternoon. This project is the first to use continuous, individual-level behavioral tracking to characterize the onset and social dynamics of tail biting in growing-finishing pigs. Findings are being used to develop predictive algorithms that can detect early behavioral deviations associated with tail injury risk and will contribute to future automated alerts for producers, supporting non-invasive, data-driven welfare management in commercial swine systems.

 

Multistate Collaborative Research Publications

 

  • 1
    • Type of the Publication: Abstract
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Archer, C., Hilbrands, A., Mote, B. E., Schmidt, T. B., Johnston, L. J., & Li, Y. (2024). 209 Influence of litter origin on performance and tail biting in growing-finishing pigs. Journal of Animal Science, 102(Supplement_2), 5–6.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Nebraska
  • 2
    • Type of the Publication: Abstract
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Li, Y., Archer, C., Hilbrands, A., Schmidt, T. B., Mote, B. E., & Johnston, L. J. (2024). PSIII-6 Tail damage caused by tail biting in growing-finishing pigs housed in two group sizes. Journal of Animal Science, 102(Supplement_2), 265–266.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Nebraska
  • 3
    • Type of the Publication: Abstract
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Archer, C. A., Forster, S. L., Mote, B. E., Schmidt, T. B., Johnston, L. J., & Li, Y. (2025). 40 Identifying tail-biting pigs in small and large groups of growing-finishing pigs with intact tails. Journal of Animal Science, 103(Supplement_1), 5–6.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Nebraska
  • 4
    • Type of the Publication: Abstract
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Forster, S. L., Archer, C. A., Li, Y., Johnston, L. J., Anderson, J., Mote, B. E., & Schmidt, T. B. (2025). 39 Use of the NU track System to evaluate behaviors of growing-finishing pigs with intact tails classified as tail biters or non-tail biters. Journal of Animal Science, 103(Supplement_1), 7–8.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Nebraska
  • 5
    • Type of the Publication: Abstract
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Archer, C. A., Forster, S. L., Mote, B. E., Schmidt, T. B., Anderson, J., Johnston, L. J., & Li, Y. (2025). 213 Differences in growth, tail injury, and immune markers among tail-biting, non-biting, and control pigs with intact tails. Journal of Animal Science, 103(Supplement_1), 40–41.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Nebraska

 

  • Future Directions: Continue the collaboration with the University of Nebraska to complete analysis for this project.

 

Station Name: University of Missouri

 

Station members

 

Multistate Collaborative Research Publications

  • 1
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Xu, Z., J. Zhou, C. Bromfield, T. T. Lim, T. J. Safranski, Z. Yan and J. G. Wiegert. 2024. Automated estrus detection in sows using a robotic imaging system. Biosystems Engineering. 244(2024), 134-145.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Texas A&M University
  • 2
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Xu, Z., J. Zhou,* C. Bromfield, T. T. Lim, T. J. Safranski, Z. Yan and P. Calyam. 2024. Developing a sow vulva volume estimation pipeline based on LiDAR imagery and deep learning. Journal of ASABE. 67(3), 649-661.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Texas A&M University

 

Multistate Collaborative Research Presentations

  • 1
    • Title: 11. Zhou, J., Z. Xu, T. Safranski, T. Lim. 2024. Automated sow estrus detection using machine vision technology. 16th International Conference on Precision Agriculture. International Society of Precision Agriculture (ISPA). Manhattan, KS, July 21 - 24, 2024.
    • Status: Presented
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Texas A&M University

 

Multistate Collaborative Book Chapter

  • Ch. 1
    • Title: Xu, Z., and J. Zhou. Chapter 7: Developments in automated technologies for early pregnancy diagnosis in pigs: Advances in precision pig farming technologies (ed. Prof. Lisa Collins). Burleigh Dodds Science Publishing.
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Texas A&M University
    • Description: A book chapter can reach out international audiences and provide education and technical reference for other researchers.

 

Station Name: University of Nebraska

 

Station members

 

Multistate Collaborative Research Projects

  • 1
    • Title/Official Name: The Cost of Comfort — Establishing the Thermal Neutral Zone of Modern Hyperprolific Sows.
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Michigan State University
    • Description: The proposed study will use non-invasive methods to determine the thermal comfort zone of modern sows within a commercial gestation barn. This study will utilize thermal imaging and behavioral observations to reflect changes in the sows' behavior and surface blood flow, thereby assessing animal comfort and estimating the ideal temperatures for gestation barns. Adopting new standards will ensure optimal animal well-being and maximize on-farm energy efficiency.
  • 2
    • Title/Official Name: Reducing lameness in commercial group-housed sows using rubber flooring
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: North Carolina State University and Michigan State University
    • Description: Sow lameness is one of the primary causes of premature culling in the sow herd. This study will evaluate rubber mats as a strategy to reduce lameness and improve animal welfare through two objectives: 1) assess impacts on lameness, treatments, production, and mortality, and 2) quantify behavioral and physiological responses related to pain and welfare. Rubber mats may alter heat transfer, affecting sow comfort across seasons. Therefore, it is critical to assess seasonal thermal comfort in mat-equipped pens. Nebraska will lead the evaluation of thermal comfort associated with rubber mat use in Prop 12-compliant sow housing.

Multistate Collaborative Research Publications

  • 1
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Bery, S., Brown-Brandl, T. M., Rohrer, G. A., Sharma, S. R., & Leonard, S. M. (2024). Impacts of crate design, number of heat lamps and lying posture on the occurrence of shoulder lesions in sows. Biosystems Engineering, 247, 249-256.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: North Carolina State University
  • 2
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Paudel, S., Brown-Brandl, T.*, Rohrer, G., & Sharma, S. R. (2025). Deep learning algorithms to identify individual finishing pigs using 3D data. Biosystems Engineering, 255, 104143.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: PIC and Iowa State University
  • 3
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Paudel, S., Rohrer, G., & Sharma, S. R., Brown-Brandl, T.* (2025) Identifying Individual Grow-Finish Pigs Using Point Cloud Data.
    • Status: Under review
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Iowa State University and Michigan State University
  • 4
    • Type of the Publication: Conference proceedings
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Rahman, M. T., Rohrer, G. A., Sharma, S. R., Shi, Y., Leonard, S. M., Brown-Brandl, T. M.* (2025). Behavioral insights impacting preweaning mortality. In 3rd U.S. Precision Livestock Farming Conference. In 3rd US Precision Livestock Farming Conference in Lincoln, NE June 2-5, 2025
    • Status: Accepted
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: North Carolina State University and University of Illinois
  • 5
    • Type of the Publication: Conference proceedings
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Poudel, A., Davis, J., Purswell, J., Sharma, S. R., & Brown-Brandl, T. (2025). Semi-automatic annotation system based on Segment Anything Model for large scale poultry data annotations. In 3rd US Precision Livestock Farming Conference in Lincoln, NE June 2-5, 2025
    • Status: Accepted
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Auburn University and USDA ARS Poultry Research Unit
  • 6
    • Type of the Publication: Conference proceedings
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Akin, H., Akinyemi, B.E., McQuillan, J., Brown-Brandl, T. 2024. Students’ knowledge of and attitudes toward dairy production. . In 11th European Conference on Precision Livestock Farming, ECPLF 2024 Bologna, Italy.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Michigan State University

Station Name: University of Tennessee

 

Station members

 

Multistate Collaborative Research Publications

  • 1
    • Type of the Publication: Abstract
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Burns, Robert. (2025, June 1-6). Transferring Smart Agriculture from the Lab to the Field. [Conference presentation abstract]. Proceedings of the Croatian SA2025 International Symposium on Agriculture. June 1-6, 2025. Bol, Brac Island. Page 21.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved:
  • 2
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Zhang, B., S. Zhou, W. Zhai, Y. Zhao. 2025. Effects of Amino Acid and Energy Reduction on Processing, Internal Organs Developments, and Economic Returns of Cobb 700 and Ross 708 Broilers. Animals, 15(7), 1064
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Mississippi State University
  • 3
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Zhang, B., S. Zhou, W. Zhai, Y. Zhao. 2025. Effect of Reduction in Dietary Amino Acid and Energy on Growth Performance and Economic Return of Cobb 700 and Ross 708 Broilers. Animals, 15(6), 890.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Mississippi State University
  • 4
    • Type of the Publication: Conference proceedings
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Zhou, S., A. Nasiri, X. Yang, T. Thornton, H. Gan, T. Tabler, Y. Zhao. 2025. Evaluating Broiler Activity index, Stretching and Preening behaviors as Affected by Stocking Density. In: Proceedings of 3rdS. Precision Livestock Farming Conference (USPLF 2025), Lincoln, NE, USA.
    • Status: Accepted
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: China Agriculture University
  • 5
    • Type of the Publication: Abstract
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Jaihuni, M., Y. Zhao, H. Gan, J. Moyle. 2025. Developing deep learning models for automated mating-related behavior detection in broiler breeders in lab setting. In: Proceedings of 2025 International Symposium on Animal Environment and Welfare, October 20-23, 2025, Chongqing, China.
    • Status: Accepted
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Maryland
  • 6
    • Type of the Publication: Extension publication
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Tabler, T., Y. Liang, T. Thornton, J. Moon, and P. Maharjan. 2024. Winter ventilation challenges broiler growers. University of Tennessee Extension Publ. No. D 244. October.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University, Tennessee State University
  • 7
    • Type of the Publication: Extension publication
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Tabler, T., S. Hawkins, Y. Liang, T. Thornton, and J. Moon. 2024. Poultry litter management (inside and outside the house). University of Tennessee Extension Publ. No. D 247. November.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University
  • 8
    • Type of the Publication: Extension publication
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Tabler, T., T. Thornton, J. F. Chibanga, and P. Maharjan. 2025. Circular bioeconomy in sub-Saharan Africa: Transforming African food systems. University of Tennessee Extension Publ. No. W 1312. January.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research, Luska, Zambia, Tennessee State University
  • 9
    • Type of the Publication: Extension publication
    • Full Citation for the Publication: T., Y. Liang, J. Moon, and T, Thornton. 2021. Sprinkler cooling of broilers highlights sustainability and water conservation potential. University of Tennessee Extension Publ. No. D 235. January.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University
  • 10
    • Type of the Publication: Extension publication
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Tabler, T., S. Hawkins, Y. Liang, T. Thornton, and J. Moon. 2025. Proper maintenance of stand-by generators is critical on commercial poultry farms. University of Tennessee Extension Publ. No. D 257. April.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University
  • 11
    • Type of the Publication: Extension publication
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Tabler, T., S. Hawkins, F. Walker, A. Rius, T, Thornton, Y. Liang, J. Moon, and J. Urrutia. 2025. Challenges and benefits of managing and utilizing poultry litter inside and outside the broiler house. University of Tennessee Extension Publ. No. W XXXX. July.
    • Status: Accepted
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University
  • 12
    • Type of the Publication: Extension publication
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Tabler, T., J. F. Chibanga, T. O. Rewe, P. Maharjan, L. Lweis, and T. Thornton. 2025. Agriculture and the circular bioeconomy across Sub-Saharan Africa. University of Tennessee Extension Publ. No. W XXXX. July.
    • Status: Accepted
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Pwani University, Kilifi, Kenya, National Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research, Lusaka, Zambia, Tennessee State University
  • 13
    • Type of the Publication: Peer-reviewed journal article
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Terrilyn Klingberg, Robert Burns, Shawn Hawkins, Yang Zhao, Tanner Thornton, Susan Schexnayder, A Producer Survey on Implementation of Precision Livestock Farming in the Broiler Industry, Journal of Applied Poultry Research, 2025, 100548, ISSN 1056-6171, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japr.2025.100548
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved:
  • 14
  • 15
    • Type of the Publication: Extension publication
    • Full Citation for the Publication: Klingberg, T., R. T. Burns, G. T. Tabler, and S. A. Hawkins.  2024.  Precision livestock farming in the broiler industry.  UT Institute of Agriculture Publ No. W 1271.
    • Status: Published
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved:

 

Multistate Collaborative Research Presentations

  • 1
    • Title: Burns, Robert. (2025, June 1-6). Transferring Smart Agriculture from the Lab to the Field. [Conference presentation abstract]. Presentation at the Croatian SA2025 International Symposium on Agriculture. June 1-6, 2025. Bol, Brac Island.
    • Status: Completed
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved:
  • 2
    • Title: Zhou, S., A. Nasiri, X. Yang, T. Thornton, H. Gan, T. Tabler, Y. Zhao. 2025. Evaluating broiler activity index, stretching and preening behaviors as affected by stocking density. International Poultry Scientific Forum, Atlanta, GA, USA.
    • Status: Presented
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: China Agricultural University
  • 3
    • Title: Tabler, T. 2025. Commercial poultry brooding and its importance to flock performance. University of Zambia School of Veterinary Medicine. Lusaka, Zambia. May 7.
    • Status: Presented
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Zambia
  • 4
    • Title: Tabler, T. 2025. Precision livestock farming technology and flock health: Challenges and opportunities. Poultry Extension Collaborative Symposium. May 20.
    • Status: Presented
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Arkansas
  • 5
    • Title: Tabler, T. 2025. Poultry lighting: Lamp and light dimmer issues. Egg Farmers of Alberta Lighting Webinar. May 28.
    • Status: Presented
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Egg Farmers of Alberta Calgary, Alberta, Canada

 

Multistate Collaborative Research Projects

  • 1
    • Title/Official Name: Improving health and well-being in broiler chickens through environmental management, USDA Cooperative Agreement, 2024-2025.
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: USDA-ARS PRU, Mississippi State University
  • 2
    • Title/Official Name: Holistic performance, environment, and economics study of incorporating extruded-expelled soybean meal (EE-SBM) in poultry feed in Tennessee. TN Soybean Association, 2024-2025.
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Arkansas
  • 3
    • Title/Official Name: A vision-based precision livestock farming system for real-time detection of mating behaviors in broiler breeders. Cobb Research Initiative, 2023-2025.
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of Maryland
  • 4
    • Title/Official Name: A holistic approach to improving keel bone health of breeders and commercial layer hens. Foundation for Food and Agriculture Research, 2023-2026.
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: University of California, Davis
  • 5
    • Title/Official Name: Advancing environmental footprint assessment and safeguarding animal production: Developing low-cost diode-laser-based absorption sensors. USDA SBIR, 2024-2025.
    • Status: Completed
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Spectral Energies, Ohio
  • 6
    • Title/Official Name: Empowering U.S. broiler production for transformation and sustainability. USDA-NIFA, 2019-2024.
    • Status: Completed
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: USDA-NIFA, University of Arkansas, Mississippi State University
  • 7
    • Title/Official Name: Novel non-antibiotic approaches for mitigation of antimicrobial resistance in poultry. USDA-NIFA, 2019-2024.
    • Status: Completed
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Mississippi State University
  • 8
    • Title/Official Name: An approach to building a sustainable small flock poultry operation through improvement in nutrition, food safety, and marketing. Southern SARE, 2023-2026.
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Tennessee State University
  • 9
    • Title/Official Name: Sustaining small flock poultry producers utilizing a train-the-trainer model on identified poultry needs. Southern SARE, 2023-2025.
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Tennessee State University
  • 10
    • Title/Official Name: Small flock poultry drinking water sanitation practices on Tennessee farms: An approach to thriving small-scale poultry operations through improvement in poultry drinking water management. USDA 1890 CBG program, 2024-2027.
    • Status: Ongoing
    • Other Stations/Institutions Involved: Tennessee State University

 

Multistate Collaborative Trainings

  • 1
    • Title/Official Name: PLF use in poultry broiler Short-Course – February 11-13, 2025
    • Status: Completed

Impacts

Publications

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