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• Spatiotemporal distribution of livestock behavior was monitored using multi-modal data. • Multi-source data fusion outperformed single-source data in multi-behavior classification. • The CNN-LSTM model was able to classify multi-behavior with higher accuracy. • 1HZ of multi-source fusion data still achieved reasonable classification accuracy. Monitoring multiple behavioral patterns and grazing trajectories of individual sheep can provide valuable information for various aspects of livestock production. The emergence of low-cost miniature sensors, coupled with the continuous advancement of deep learning technologies, has ushered in a new generation of intelligent solutions for precision livestock farming. This study aims to explore the deployment methods of motion sensors, selection of data collection frequencies, and choice of deep learning algorithms to provide accurate classification of multiple behaviors in grazing sheep. Based on this, in conjunction with the acquired location information, the goal is to comprehend the spatiotemporal distribution of grazing sheep behaviors. Devices capable of collecting Inertial Measurement Unit (IMU) and location data were attached to the jaw, neck, and hind leg of sheep. Four datasets were created using IMU data with a frequency of 20 Hz and a 5 s time window from different positions (neck, neck & leg, jaw, jaw & leg). Two deep learning models, Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) - Long Short Term Memory (LSTM) and Temporal Convolutional Network (TCN)-Transformer, were employed to classify six grazing sheep behaviors: walking, standing, grazing, lying, standing-ruminating, and lying-ruminating. The results indicate that by fusing data from the neck- and leg-mounted devices and utilizing the CNN-LSTM model, the accuracy reached the highest at 99.3 %. Furthermore, a comparison was made regarding the behavior classification accuracy of this fused data at different IMU data frequencies (20, 10, 5, and 1 Hz). It was found that even when the data frequency was reduced to 1 Hz, the classification accuracy for the six sheep behaviors still exceeded 96 %. Additionally, the trained model with the highest accuracy was applied to monitoring grazing sheep behavior under two different management procedures. Further analysis of the time budgets of sheep behavior revealed differences in the durations of behaviors under different management procedures. For extensively grazing sheep, location information was also monitored and combined with behavior classification results to generate the spatiotemporal distribution of sheep behavior. The technologies presented are important for gaining further insights into the health status of grazing livestock and grassland, thereby enhancing grazing management practices by informing grazing choices and optimizing grassland utilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The monitoring and analysis of sheep behavior can reflect their welfare and health, which is beneficial for grazing management. For automatic classification and the continuous monitoring of grazing sheep behavior, wearable devices based on inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensors are important. The accuracy of different machine learning algorithms was compared, and the best one was used for the continuous monitoring and behavior classification of three grazing sheep on pasture with three different sward surface heights. The results showed that the algorithm automatically monitored the behavior of grazing sheep individuals and quantified the time of each behavior. Behavior classification and recognition of sheep are useful for monitoring their health and productivity. The automatic behavior classification of sheep by using wearable devices based on IMU sensors is becoming more prevalent, but there is little consensus on data processing and classification methods. Most classification accuracy tests are conducted on extracted behavior segments, with only a few trained models applied to continuous behavior segments classification. The aim of this study was to evaluate the performance of multiple combinations of algorithms (extreme learning machine (ELM), AdaBoost, stacking), time windows (3, 5 and 11 s) and sensor data (three-axis accelerometer (T-acc), three-axis gyroscope (T-gyr), and T-acc and T-gyr) for grazing sheep behavior classification on continuous behavior segments. The optimal combination was a stacking model at the 3 s time window using T-acc and T-gyr data, which had an accuracy of 87.8% and a Kappa value of 0.836. It was applied to the behavior classification of three grazing sheep continuously for a total of 67.5 h on pasture with three different sward surface heights (SSH). The results revealed that the three sheep had the longest walking, grazing and resting times on the short, medium and tall SHH, respectively. These findings can be used to support grazing sheep management and the evaluation of production performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Traditionally, farmers are unable to pay enough attention to individual livestock. An increasing number of sensors are being used to monitor animal behavior, early disease detection, and evaluation of animal welfare. In this study, we used machine learning algorithms to identify multiple unitary behaviors and movements of dairy cattle recorded by motion sensors. We also investigated the effect of time window on the performance of unitary behaviors classification and discussed the necessity of movement analysis. This study shows a feasible way to explore more detailed movements based on the result of unitary behaviors classification. Low-cost sensors provide remote monitoring of animal behaviors to help producers comprehensively and accurately identify the health status of individual livestock in real-time. The behavior of livestock on farms is the primary representation of animal welfare, health conditions, and social interactions to determine whether they are healthy or not. The objective of this study was to propose a framework based on inertial measurement unit (IMU) data from 10 dairy cows to classify unitary behaviors such as feeding, standing, lying, ruminating-standing, ruminating-lying, and walking, and identify movements during unitary behaviors. Classification performance was investigated for three machine learning algorithms (K-nearest neighbors (KNN), random forest (RF), and extreme boosting algorithm (XGBoost)) in four time windows (5, 10, 30, and 60 s). Furthermore, feed tossing, rolling biting, and chewing in the correctly classified feeding segments were analyzed by the magnitude of the acceleration. The results revealed that the XGBoost had the highest performance in the 60 s time window with an average F1 score of 94% for the six unitary behavior classes. The F1 score of movements is 78% (feed tossing), 87% (rolling biting), and 87% (chewing). This framework offers a possibility to explore more detailed movements based on the unitary behavior classification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]