Completed Project
Automated sheep counting for the livestock export industry
Summary
There are strict regulations around the number of animals allowed on a livestock export ship, based on the floor area of the pens. With truckloads of sheep or cattle being loaded one after the other, keeping an accurate count is a highly skilled and stressful task.
This project built on systems using artificial intelligence in other industries, to develop an automated sheep counting program using a video camera mounted over the loading ramp into the ship.
It will free up staff at the port for other tasks while providing highly accurate results.
Objectives
Develop a video camera-based computer algorithm for counting sheep being loaded onto a livestock export ship with accuracy greater than 99.5%.
Provide details and instructions on appropriate hardware, the software design and relevant camera setup.
Benefits to industry
A highly accurate automated system provides independent calculations of the number of sheep being loaded onto export ships and reduces the human resources required to count sheep.
This technology is also suitable for use in feedlots and saleyards, and may eventually be adapted for counting other types of livestock.
