Sheep eyes are the window to their stressed out souls

A new way of looking at sheep can show if they're stressed.

Source: agresearch.co.nz

have found a link between the temperature of a sheep's eye and the animal's level of stress.

AgResearch scientists are looking at non-invasive ways for farmers to measure animal welfare, without causing more stress. They found thermal imaging is an accurate way to gauge stress in cattle, but it was more difficult with sheep due to their wool.

Thermal imaging cameras measured temperature changes in sheep injected with the stress hormone adrenaline. The area around the eye – which is free of wool and easy to monitor – was slightly hotter when animals were under stress. The researchers suggest farmers could use a similar technique.

“A key advantage of this technology is that it's non-invasive when clearly the aim is not to add to the stress of the animal in the course of trying to take these measures,” says senior scientist Dr Mhairi Sutherland. “There's certainly potential for this technology to be integrated into farming systems, where animals may pass by an infrared thermography device checkpoint to take measurements relating to stress or health.”

Accurately reading an animal's stress levels means farmers can improve how they work with their stock.

“Our experience is that farmers want the best for their animals and are open to how to evolve their practices."

It's non-invasive, and the aim is not to add to the animal's stress.

Pasture growth and quality are just as important on lifestyle farms as they are on commercially-driven, larger scale farms. In both cases, soil nutrient deficiencies can impact pasture production, animal health and stock production.

They come in 20 kg bags, and if regularly applied will look after pasture as well as animal health.

Both products supply nitrogen for pasture growth, soluble phosphorus and sulphate for immediate uptake by plants, plus small amounts of cobalt and selenium for animal health. Nutrigro 13K also contains potassium.

Cobalt and selenium are not used by pasture but are important for preventing trace element deficiencies in both cattle and sheep.