When cows send signals: How a stomach sensor enhances animal welfare

Premstaetten, Austria, and Munich, Germany (July 9, 2025) – A compact temperature sensor from ams OSRAM monitors conditions inside a dairy cow’s body, revealing what’s not yet detectable from the outside. Embedded within the smaXtec bolus sensor, it detects physiological changes at an early stage, supporting farmers in monitoring their livestock’s health.

Changes in inner body temperature are among the earliest indicators of health issues— in people and animals alike. In livestock management, continuous temperature monitoring allows an early response well before external symptoms become apparent. For this, the bolus developed by the Austrian company smaXtec incorporates high-precision AS6221 temperature sensor from ams OSRAM. Abnormalities can thus be detected early and treated in a targeted manner, reducing the need for medication. This improves animal welfare and supports proactive herd management.

The bolus is administered orally to cows, typically during feeding. After ingestion, it reaches the reticulum, where it remains permanently. The reticulum is a compartment of the ruminant’s multi-chambered stomach, providing stable conditions for precise and long-term temperature measurement. Measuring approximately 10.5 centimeters in length and 3.5 centimeters in diameter, the bolus is comparable in size to a large vitamin supplement commonly used in horses and cattle. At its core is the AS6221 temperature sensor, barely larger than a grain of rice. Despite its compact size, it delivers precise measurements and features outstandingly low power consumption. This allows the sensor to remain in the animal’s body for years without requiring replacement.

Temperature measurements are taken automatically every ten minutes. Once collected, the data is transmitted wirelessly to the smaXtec system for analysis and evaluation. In addition to identifying fever and metabolic disorders, the sensor provides valuable insights into the animals’ drinking behavior. A brief drop in reticulum temperature signals water intake—an important indicator of an animal’s well-being. The AS6221 detects such fluctuations with an accuracy of ±0.09 °C, helping to provide comprehensive health monitoring.

“Thanks to the AS6221 from ams OSRAM, our bolus sensors can precisely and continuously monitor body temperature in the reticulum,” emphasizes Manuel Frech, Head of Embedded Systems at smaXtec. “This allows us to detect health changes in cows five days earlier on average. Thus, we assist our customers in responding faster, reducing medication use, and enhancing their livestock’s welfare more effectively.” Heat stress can also be detected early—a substantial benefit as rising temperatures make such monitoring increasingly important.

The cooperation between smaXtec and ams OSRAM impressively demonstrates how precision sensor technology can be effectively applied in modern agriculture. The AS6221 enables continuous monitoring without causing stress to the animal. This not only improves animal welfare but also enhances overall efficiency in dairy cattle management. Looking ahead, this technology can also be applied to other livestock species, such as pigs or sheep.