Evaluation of the potential of infrared thermography for automatic animal health monitoring systems in milk production

Infrared thermography as a non-invasive method to detect udder inflammation is investigated in two commercial farms using a total of 552 dairy cows (Holstein-Friesian). Cows with udder disease show significantly different infrared temperatures of rear udder quarters than cows with healthy udders (p < 0.10; t-Test). Cows with latent infection, unspecific mastitis and mastitis of rear udder quarters can be detected by daily infrared thermography with sensitivities of around 30% and specificities of around 70% if the change of surface temperature is considered individually for the animal. The technology of infrared thermography is useful for the development of automatic health monitoring system for dairy herds.