| dc.description.abstract | Ruminants comprise the most valuable class of animals to mankind. The grazing habits of both wild and domestic ruminant animals within a given ecosystem are of considerable environmental significance, and the efficiency of production of ruminants has major economic importance. A method to detect swallowing has been developed and will hopefully provide information for studying grazing patterns and food efficiency.
This technique involves the surgical implantation of esophageal electrodes, and the telemetry of impedance changes due to alterations in the geometry of the esophagus during swallowing. The instrumentation includes: (1) the implanted impedance detector-transmitter; (2) a neck collar repeater; and (3) a base station receiver-data recorder. Signals transmitted from free roaming animals provide information related to specific digestive events, e.g., swallowing forage, drinking, and regurgitation. It is anticipated that such instrumentation may provide the basic information necessary for the determination of forage intake and grazing habits of wild and domestic ruminant animals. | en |
