The Social Network … for Cows?

   by  sparty lea 

Today I was reading the post of Liz about Beef Week, her interest in cattle and how technology has changed the industry. I am a special education student and this got me thinking about the work of Temple Grandin and how she revolutionised the cattle industry in America. However, Temple’s work had more to do with the design and structure of cattle pens and holding yards. (Thinking in Pictures is a movie about Temple Grandin and her Autism and stars Claire Danes – definitely worth a watch).

Then, tonight on the ABC news, a segment about cow reproductivity caught my attention which I then found online. Basically, Queensland researchers have been placing digital collars on cows to track their social interactions with the aim of increasing reproductivity rates. These ‘social interaction collars’ record the moves of the animals and it has been found that when cows have their calves they socialise more with other cows with same aged calves. One of the researchers, Professor Swain, has discovered that cow social lives compare to that of mother and toddler groups where maternal friendships remain over time.

In reference to the technology he stated

Once upon a time just to have a good eye for cattle and know how to breed cattle was important – it still is – but now we have to do far more …We need to embrace new technology, we need to embrace business systems.

I guess, as a student of this course, I am paying more attention and noticing more of the ICTs around us and how they affect every aspect of our lives.