METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MONITORING AN ANIMAL'S FOOD AND WATER INtake

Description

technical field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of an animal such as a cow.

[0002] It also relates to a device for monitoring the food and water consumption of such an animal. Previous technique

[0003] It is known that cattle, especially dairy cows, drink large quantities of water daily.

[0004] On a farm, the amount of water drunk by a dairy cow depends directly on the dry matter content of its feed ration, its age, the outside temperature, and the stage of milk production.

[0005] At each feeding, the water intake by an adult cow can thus be between ten (10) and twenty (20) litres, knowing that a high-producing dairy cow can drink from one hundred and fifty litres (150 l) to two hundred and fifty litres (250 l) per day.

[0006] While dairy cows can spend four (4) to five (5) hours a day eating, they only spend twenty (20) to thirty (30) minutes a day drinking.

[0007] To ensure proper hydration of cattle, they must therefore have access to a sufficient number of drinking troughs with a sufficient flow rate to avoid any competition that could hinder consumption by some animals, these troughs being cleaned regularly to provide quality water.

[0008] It is also necessary that this drinking water be regularly checked for bacteriological quality and supplied at an adequate temperature, preferably between 5°C and 15°C, summer and winter.

[0009] Preferably, these waterers are kept at a constant level to allow cattle to put their muzzles in the water and thus ingest the required amount of water more quickly.

[0010] We observe a certain adaptation of these animals if they do not drink the quantities of water necessary for their vital and metabolic needs, without the appearance of external signs likely to alert the farmer.

[0011] However, this lack of water leads to priority choices at the level of the animal's metabolism ranging from a reduction in milk or meat production to a weakening of the animal to diseases.

[0012] Today, to ensure proper hydration of his cattle, a farmer must visually monitor each one individually.

[0013] It is also possible for it to monitor certain hydration indicators such as skin elasticity (skin fold test), the sinking of the eyeball, or the moisture of the animal's mucous membranes.

[0014] However, such monitoring is hardly feasible in a farm with a large number of cattle.

[0015] The same considerations apply to the feeding of a bovine.

[0016] It is known that a dairy cow has a daily energy requirement that depends on her milk production, weight, body condition score, height, stage of lactation, and age (primiparous vs. multiparous). A dairy cow can therefore have a dry matter intake that varies between fifteen (15) and thirty (30) kg per day, with an average value of around twenty-five (25) kg per day.

[0017] The farmer must again ensure that each bovine receives sufficient feed to cover its energy needs, which he cannot do visually when his farm has a large number of cattle.

[0018] Prior art devices exist for monitoring a cow's feeding, for example, by detecting movements of the animal's lower jaw related to rumination or the sounds produced by chewing food. Detecting sounds related to water swallowing has also been proposed for monitoring a cow's water consumption.

[0019] These state-of-the-art portable devices are particularly complex, heavy and therefore represent a definite inconvenience for the animal, significantly affecting its well-being.

[0020] Systems for individually weighing an animal to determine the amount of food ingested are still known. However, although very precise, these weighing systems require complex and expensive installations.

[0021] There is therefore an urgent need for a method and device for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, the original design of which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art described above.

[0022] We also know of a nose ring equipped with a humidity sensor as disclosed in document CA3085608 A1. Object of the invention

[0023] The present invention aims to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a monitoring method, simple in its design and in its operating method, allowing the reliable determination of the feeding or water consumption of a bovine or a plurality of bovines.

[0024] Another object of the present invention is such a method which can be easily implemented on a farm to monitor a cattle farm.

[0025] Another object of the present invention is such a process minimizing any discomfort to the animal or, even better, not hindering its freedom of movement.

[0026] The present invention also relates to a monitoring device such as a nose ring, for the implementation of such a monitoring method, without altering the welfare of the animal. Description of the invention

[0027] To this end, the invention relates to a method for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine such as a cow as defined in claim 1. According to the invention, by means of at least one sensor carried by said bovine, it is possible to detect the presence of water and / or food in an area located at the level of the muzzle of this animal and outside the body of this animal, in order to identify a intake of food or water by this bovine.

[0028] This zone can be placed in the immediate vicinity of the bovine's muzzle or even surround at least part of it. For illustrative purposes only, this zone can extend from zero (0) cm to thirty (30) cm around at least part of the bovine's muzzle. For example, this area can be located in the immediate vicinity of the tip of the bovine's muzzle. Advantageously, this zone can also be located "right at the level of," "at the edge of," or "very close to" the animal's muzzle. This is the case when the animal has part of its muzzle in contact with the water or food.

[0029] Of course, if the presence of water or food has been detected, if it is not possible to conclude that this bovine has actually taken food or water from this detection alone, for example because this water or food is not located at the edge of the animal's muzzle, it is possible to combine information from different sensors, worn or not by this animal, to identify, with certainty, this intake of water or food.

[0030] This particularly simple process makes it possible to reliably detect activities consisting of a bovine taking food or water and thus ensure monitoring over time of these activities for the control of the health status of this animal.

[0031] This method can be used, in particular, to detect changes or disturbances in feeding and drinking behavior in cattle. The observation of such changes or disturbances can be a relevant indicator of a change in physiological status (e.g., estrus, calving), disease, and / or a reduction in animal welfare. Furthermore, a decrease in feed or water intake can be associated with a decrease in production (milk or beef).

[0032] It should be noted that this method is particularly effective for monitoring feed consumption, whether of dry matter (radar sensor) or feed that generally has a high moisture content (radar sensor and / or water detection sensor). It is also observed that when a bovine feeds, its muzzle and nostrils are in direct contact with the feed, so a nose ring equipped with electronic sensors and worn by the animal can detect food or water.

[0033] According to a particular embodiment of this method for monitoring the feed and water consumption of a bovine, and using at least one sensor comprising a radar sensor, the following steps are carried out: emit at least one radar signal in said area, receive at least one reflection of the radar signal from an object located in said area to obtain data from said at least one object, and process said data to determine the presence of water or food in said area. Such a radar sensor makes it advantageous to determine the composition of each object located in this area and thus to identify, for example, the type of food.

[0034] According to another particular embodiment of this method for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, a transmitting antenna of this radar sensor configured to emit an ultra-wideband radar signal emits a radar signal in said area.

[0035] According to yet another particular embodiment of this method of monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, the said radar signal is emitted in the form of coherent pulses.

[0036] According to this method for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, the bovine wears a nose ring incorporating at least one water detection sensor located in the portion of the ring outside the animal's nostrils. This sensor detects when the portion of the ring is immersed in water or when water exceeds a threshold level at the tip of the animal's muzzle, thereby identifying when the bovine has consumed food or water. Preferably, the nose ring incorporates a radar sensor and at least one water detection sensor, which are separate and spaced apart.

[0037] According to yet another particular embodiment of this method of monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, one or more measurements are taken from the group comprising a measurement of the ambient pressure applied to said part of the ring, a measurement of the humidity level near said part of the ring, a measurement of electrical conductivity to detect a variation in conductivity between two electrodes spaced apart, a measurement of the capacitance of the space separating two electrodes to detect a variation in the capacitance of this space related to the presence of water, and an optical water detection measurement.

[0038] This measure or these measures may include: a measurement using a pressure gauge measuring the ambient pressure applied to the part of the ring.For example, when a bovine drinks from a constant-level trough, a portion of this ring becomes submerged along with the corresponding part of the animal's muzzle. The water exerting pressure on this portion of the ring can be detected. This can be measured using a humidity sensor to determine the moisture level in the immediate vicinity of this part of the ring; an electrical conductivity measurement to detect a change in electrical conductivity between two electrodes spaced apart (this change resulting from the filling of the space between the two electrodes by water from the trough or a water-rich feed); a capacitance measurement of the space between two electrodes to detect a change in the capacitance of this space due to the presence of water; and an optical water detection measurement. Such a measurement can be performed using various methods.For illustrative purposes only, it can be based on total internal reflection of light. Light sources such as light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and a photodetector are placed inside a housing in the ring section. In the presence of water, some of the light is refracted by the water and is no longer reflected by the ring wall. The amount of light received by the photodetector is reduced, and the presence of water is thus detected.

[0039] Alternatively, it could involve detecting the interruption of a beam of light passing through a transparent portion of the ring part by water surrounding that part of the ring.

[0040] Each of these measurements is advantageously compared to a predefined threshold value, and the corresponding measurement is retained only when it exceeds this threshold value. This is done to avoid, in particular, the inclusion of false measurements, such as those resulting from the deposition of fine water droplets on the ring due to mist. Thus, this threshold value is defined to eliminate measurements related to the animal's natural physiological state, such as the natural humidity of the tip of its muzzle, and / or potential false measurements related to the atmospheric conditions surrounding the animal, such as rain or fog.

[0041] In another embodiment of this method for monitoring a bovine's food and water intake, the animal's location is also detected near a water trough and / or a feed trough. This makes it possible to determine the animal's position relative to a water or feed source, such as a forage source. Depending on the detection method used, this positioning can be relative or absolute. For example, one or more tags can be used to detect the animal's position near one or more of these tags. Advantageously, the animal's location is measured wirelessly using a Bluetooth®, infrared, or near-field communication (NFC) reader. The nose ring then incorporates an NFC tag or an RFID badge.This communication reader is placed or installed directly in the waterer or feeder. Alternatively, or in addition, the ring can be equipped with a global positioning system (GPS) receiver. It can also be an optical sensor that detects the animal's proximity. Preferably, "proximity" is defined as the animal being located within a predetermined threshold distance of the object in question, such as a waterer or feeder. The animal can then be considered to be at the drinking point and therefore likely to drink, or at the feeding point and therefore likely to eat.

[0042] According to yet another embodiment of this method of monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, a movement of the animal's head is detected, in particular a lowering of the animal's head.

[0043] It is therefore possible to combine information to absolutely guarantee that an animal has actually consumed food or water. Such an implementation is particularly useful when the reliability of one of the measurements could be affected, for example, by the presence of significant dust in the air or extreme environmental conditions such as heavy rain or the gradual accumulation of water due to thick fog. By way of illustration, information related to the presence of an animal near a watering trough or feeder could be combined with measurements from at least one water detection sensor or radar sensor.

[0044] According to yet another embodiment of this method for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of cattle, information related to the animal's presence near a drinking trough and / or feed trough, as well as a lowering of the animal's head, is combined to trigger the measurement(s) using at least one water detection sensor or radar sensor. This ensures the accuracy of the measurements and optimizes the battery life of the device integrated into the nose ring. Alternatively, measurements could be taken continuously when the animal is detected as being near a drinking trough or feed trough, but only the measurements obtained when the animal lowers its head would be considered.

[0045] According to yet another embodiment of this method for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, the radar sensor and / or at least one water detection sensor having a low-power standby mode, each sensor is placed in this mode when it appears that the animal is resting, is not located near a drinking trough and / or a feeding trough, or when the animal's head is not lowered towards the ground. Advantageously, such an embodiment minimizes energy consumption and optimizes the battery life of the monitoring device, such as a nose ring. Of course, the animal's head movement sensor, such as an accelerometer, and / or the location device remain operational, or active, when the at least one water detection sensor and / or the radar sensor are in their standby mode.

[0046] In yet another embodiment of this method for monitoring a bovine's feeding and water consumption, the animal's muzzle movements are detected to identify when it is chewing. A bovine exhibits a specific jaw movement when feeding, which can be detected using a three-axis accelerometer. Thus, jaw movements related to chewing or swallowing are advantageously detected to determine information about the animal's feeding and water consumption activity.

[0047] According to yet another embodiment of this method of monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, the measurements provided by said radar sensor and / or said at least one water detection sensor are acquired over time to determine a duration of water consumption or feeding of this animal.

[0048] According to yet another embodiment of this method for monitoring the feed and water consumption of cattle, the measurements are processed by a central unit, such as a microprocessor, worn by the animal, or are sent via a wireless communication protocol to a remote central unit. In the latter case, the nose ring incorporates a transmitter, such as an antenna, to transmit the measured data to the remote central unit.

[0049] According to yet another embodiment of this method of monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, active compounds such as drugs, vitamins, hormones, etc., are also delivered with said nasal ring. For purely illustrative purposes, the active compound may be progesterone for a dairy cow or other hormones such as GnRH or PGF2alfa, melatonin and parasiticides.

[0050] According to yet another embodiment of this method of monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, prior to the measurement(s), the said animal was uniquely identified.

[0051] According to yet another embodiment of this method for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, the amount of water drunk, or the amount of feed ingested, by the bovine is estimated from the duration for which the animal, detected as being near a drinking trough or a feeding trough respectively, kept its head lowered and / or for the duration for which the presence of water or feed was detected and / or for the duration for which the animal's swallowing or chewing was identified through the detection of jaw movement. Advantageously, to perform this estimation, a reference amount of water drunk, or a reference amount of feed ingested respectively, can be used over a duration T by this animal, taking into account, in particular, the age and weight of the bovine in question.Preferably, based on this data, a daily quantity of water consumed or food ingested by the bovine is estimated. If this value is below a predefined threshold for the bovine in question, taking into account its age and weight, an alert is triggered. It could also be useful to remotely record the volume of water delivered to the trough during the animal's presence, as measured by a water meter installed in the trough, in order to adjust the estimated amount of water consumed by the animal.

[0052] The detection of the animal's jaw movement can be achieved in particular by means of an accelerometer (3 axes) which allows the detection of the activity and movement of the animal's head.

[0053] The present invention also relates to a device for monitoring the feed and water consumption of a bovine animal, such as a cow, according to claim 14. According to the invention, this monitoring device is portable and comprises: a radar sensor comprising at least: a transmitting antenna disposed in a first position and configured to emit a radar signal in an area external to the animal's body, a receiving antenna disposed in a second position separate from and spaced away from the first position, said receiving antenna being configured to receive signals reflected by one or more objects placed in the area, and a water detection sensor arranged to be placed outside the animal's body when the animal is wearing said monitoring device, said water detection sensor being configured to detect at least partial immersion of the monitoring device in water or the presence of water above a threshold value outside the animal's body and at the tip of its snout, and a processing unit for identifying, from the measurements taken by said radar sensor and / or said at least one water detection sensor,a bovine taking in food or water.

[0054] Preferably, this zone is placed in the immediate vicinity of the bovine's muzzle or surrounds at least part of it. For illustrative purposes only, this zone can extend from zero (0) cm to thirty (30) cm around at least part of the bovine's muzzle. For example, this area can be located in the immediate vicinity of the tip of the bovine's muzzle. Advantageously, this zone can also be located "right at the level of," "flush with," or "very close to" the animal's muzzle. This is the case when the animal has part of its muzzle in contact with the water or food.

[0055] According to the invention, the radar sensor is placed in a nasal ring, making the method of monitoring a bovine particularly simple and effective. The animal is completely free to move and is not hindered by prior art portable devices, of varying sizes, that restrict its head or abdomen.

[0056] According to another embodiment of this surveillance device, the transmitting antenna is configured to emit an ultra-wideband radar signal. Preferably, the radar signal is emitted in the form of coherent pulses. By way of example, the usable range of the radar sensor is between 0 and 4 m. An accuracy of 1 mm up to a distance of 2 m can be achieved. The orientation is 80° horizontally and 40° horizontally.

[0057] According to the invention, said at least one water detection sensor is placed in the part of a nose ring intended to be located outside the nostrils of the animal when the latter is wearing this nose ring, said at least one water detection sensor being configured to detect the immersion of said part of the ring in water or the presence of water beyond a threshold value outside the body of this animal and at the end of its muzzle to identify a intake of food or water by this bovine.

[0058] Advantageously, this sensor or these sensors are selected from a group comprising a pressure gauge, a humidity sensor, an electrical conductivity probe for detecting a change in conductivity between two electrodes spaced apart, a capacitance probe for the space separating two electrodes to detect a change in the capacitance of this space, and an optical sensor for detecting the presence of water on or in said part of the ring. Preferably, this ring may include several of these elements, which are, for example, located in the central part of the body of the nose ring.

[0059] This optical sensor can be configured to detect the total internal reflection of light inside a portion of the nose ring, or this optical sensor can be configured to measure the light refracted by water surrounding said part of the ring.

[0060] According to yet another embodiment of this monitoring device, it also includes an accelerometer and / or a gyroscope and / or a device for locating this monitoring device in the vicinity of a drinking trough or a feeding trough.

[0061] As an example, this location device is configured to perform wireless communication with a Bluetooth®, infrared or near field (NFC) communication reader.

[0062] According to yet another embodiment of this monitoring device, it is configured to deliver active compounds such as drugs, vitamins, hormones....

[0063] More generally, this disclosure also relates to an unclaimed method for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine animal, such as a cow, in which food or water intake by the bovine is identified by means of a radar sensor worn by the bovine. Such a radar sensor not only detects food or water within an area where it emits a radar signal, but also determines their composition. It also enables the detection of feed that does not contain sufficient moisture to be detected by a water sensor.

[0064] According to one embodiment of this method for monitoring the feed and water consumption of a bovine, the following steps are carried out: emit a radar signal in an area, receive at least one reflection of the radar signal from an object located in said area to obtain data from said at least one object, and process said data to determine the presence of water or food in said area. Preferably, this area is external to the animal's body.

[0065] According to another embodiment of this method of monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, a transmitting antenna configured to emit an ultra-wideband radar signal emits a radar signal in an area placed in front of the bovine's head.

[0066] According to yet another embodiment of this method for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, the said radar signal is emitted in the form of coherent pulses.

[0067] According to yet another embodiment of this method for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, the said radar sensor is placed in a nose ring, a collar or an ear tag.

[0068] Also disclosed here, although not claimed, is a device for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, comprising a radar sensor and a processing unit to identify, from the measurements taken by this radar sensor, the consumption of food or water by this bovine.

[0069] According to one embodiment of this device for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, this radar sensor comprises a transmitting antenna disposed in a first position and configured to emit a radar signal in an area external to the body of the animal and a receiving antenna disposed in a second position distinct from and spaced from said first position, said receiving antenna being configured to receive the signals reflected by one or more objects placed in this area.

[0070] According to another embodiment of this device for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, this radar sensor is an ultra-wideband sensor.

[0071] According to yet another embodiment of this device for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, it includes a nose ring, a collar or an ear tag having a housing to receive said radar sensor.

[0072] According to yet another embodiment of this device for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, it comprises one or more water presence detection sensors chosen from the group including a pressure gauge, a humidity sensor, an electrical conductivity measuring probe to detect a variation in conductivity between two electrodes spaced apart, a space capacitance measuring probe to detect a variation in the capacitance of this space and an optical sensor to detect the presence of water on or in said device.

[0073] According to yet another embodiment of this device for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, it also includes an accelerometer and / or gyroscope and / or a device for locating this monitoring device in the vicinity of a drinking trough or a feeding trough. Brief description of the drawings

[0074] Other advantages, purposes and special features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description, given for explanatory purposes only and not as a limitation, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 [ Fig. 1 ] is a perspective view of a nose ring for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine according to a particular embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 [ Fig. 2 ] is a partially exploded view of the nasal ring of the Fig. 1 ; Description of a method of implementation

[0075] The drawings and description below contain, for the most part, elements of a definite nature. They can therefore not only serve to better explain the present invention, but also contribute to its definition, if necessary.

[0076] Firstly, it should be noted that the figures are not to scale.

[0077] THE Figures 1 and 2 schematically illustrate a nasal ring 10 for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine such as a cow according to a particular embodiment of the present invention.

[0078] This nose ring 10 comprises a main body 11 which may be in the form of an elliptical segment or a rectangular portion. It is preferably made of a plastic material such as a polymer.

[0079] This body has pads 12 at its ends, each designed to bear against a nasal wall of the bovine. Each pad 12 is advantageously mounted on a ball joint 13 to allow for pivoting movement and to adapt to the animal's anatomy.

[0080] The design of the body of the nasal ring 10 allows it to grip these nasal walls and to apply slight pressure by means of these pads 12 to ensure that the ring is held in position.

[0081] Of course, this nose ring 10 could feature another type of attachment such as a hook designed to pass through the nasal wall of the animal.

[0082] The central part of the ring's body, intended to be located outside the animal's nostrils when the animal is wearing the nose ring, is hollow to house several sensors.

[0083] This central part thus receives a humidity sensor 14 opening to the outside and allowing the level of humidity immediately surrounding this part of the ring to be determined.

[0084] It also includes an electrical conductivity measuring probe 15 to detect a variation in conductivity between two electrodes spaced apart. This variation results from the presence of water filling the space separating the two electrodes.

[0085] The combination of information provided by these two sensors 14, 15 makes it possible to detect the immersion of this part of the nasal ring 10 in water or the presence of water beyond a threshold value outside the muzzle and at the end of the muzzle, or snout, of this animal to identify the intake of food or water.

[0086] A motion sensor, such as an accelerometer 16, is also placed inside the main body 11 of the ring to obtain data on the animal's head movements. This makes it possible to determine when the animal lowers its head to drink or eat.

[0087] The main body 11 of the ring is also equipped with an NFC tag 17 to perform wireless communications with a near field communication (NFC) reader, thus enabling the animal to be located in relation to a drinking trough, or a feeder, equipped with such readers.

[0088] Ideally, the ring also includes a GPS sensor 18 to identify the animal's behavior, particularly if it is motionless. By combining this information with data from the accelerometer, it is then possible to deduce if the animal is resting, for example, if it is sleeping.

[0089] This nasal ring is also designed to deliver active compounds such as medications, vitamins, ...

Claims

1. Method for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine, such as a cow, using a nose ring (10) carried by said bovine, said nose ring (10) having at least two sensors (14, 15), in order to detect the presence of water and / or food in a zone located at the animal's muzzle and external to the animal's body, to identify the intake of food or water by the bovine, said at least two sensors comprising a radar sensor, - in which method the following steps are carried out: - emitting a radar signal at least in said zone, - receiving at least one reflection of the radar signal from an object located in said zone to obtain data from said at least one object, and - processing said data to determine the presence of water or food in said zone, - in which method said nose ring (10) has a water detection sensor (14, 15) placed in the portion of the ring located outside the animal's nostrils, to detect using said sensor the immersion of said ring portion in water or the presence of water above a threshold value at the end of the animal's muzzle to identify the intake of food or water of the bovine.

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that an emitting antenna configured to emit an ultra-wideband radar signal emits a radar signal in said zone.

3. Method according to claim 2, characterized in that said radar signal is emitted in the form of coherent pulses.

4. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that one or more measurements are carried out, the measurements being selected from the group comprising a measurement of the ambient pressure acting on said portion of the ring, a measurement of the moisture level in the vicinity of said portion of the ring, an electrical conductivity measurement to detect a variation in the conductivity between two mutually spaced electrodes, a capacitance measurement of the space separating two electrodes to detect a variation in the capacitance of the space related to the presence of water, and an optical water detection measurement.

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that said threshold value is defined to eliminate measurements related to the natural physiological state of the animal such as the natural moisture of the end of the animal's muzzle and / or possible false measurements related to the atmospheric conditions surrounding the animal such as rain or fog.

6. Method according to any of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the location of the animal in the vicinity of a drinking and / or feeding trough is also detected.

7. Method according to any of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that a movement of the animal's head is detected.

8. Method according to claims 6 and 7, characterized in that the information related to the presence of the animal in the vicinity of a drinking and / or feeding trough is combined with a lowering of the animal's head to trigger the measurement or measurements using said radar sensor and / or said at least one water detection sensor (14, 15).

9. Method according to any of claims 1 to 5 and 6 and / or 7, characterized in that said radar sensor and / or said at least one water detection sensor (14, 15) have a low-energy consumption standby mode, each sensor being placed in this mode when it appears that the animal is at rest or is not located in the vicinity of a drinking and / or feeding trough or that the head of the animal is not lowered toward the ground.

10. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the movements of the animal's muzzle are detected to identify food chewing by said animal.

11. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the measurements provided by said radar sensor and / or said at least one water detection sensor (14, 15) are acquired over time to determine a duration of water consumption or feeding of the animal.

12. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that said measurements are processed by a central unit, such as a microprocessor, worn by the animal or are sent by a wireless communication protocol to a remote central unit.

13. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that active compounds such as drugs or vitamins are also delivered using said nose ring (10).

14. Device for monitoring the feeding and water consumption of a bovine such as a cow, which device is suitable for being carried by a bovine and comprises a nose ring (10), which has: - a radar sensor comprising at least: - an emitting antenna arranged in a first position and configured to emit a radar signal in a zone external to the animal's body, - a receiving antenna arranged in a second position distinct and spaced from the first position, said receiving antenna being configured to receive the signals reflected by one or more objects placed in the zone, and - a water detection sensor (14, 15) arranged in the portion of the ring located outside the animal's nostrils when said animal is wearing said monitoring device, the water detection sensor (14, 15) being configured to detect the immersion of said ring portion in water or the presence of water above a threshold value at the end of said animal's muzzle to identify the intake of food or water of the bovine, and - a processing unit to identify from the measurements taken by said radar sensor and / or said at least one water detection sensor (14, 15) the intake of food or water by the bovine.

15. Monitoring device according to claim 14, characterized in that said emitting antenna is configured to emit an ultra-wideband radar signal.

16. Monitoring device according to claim 14, characterized in that said nose ring (10) is configured to deliver active compounds such as drugs, vitamins, and hormones.

17. Device according to any of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that the water presence detection sensor or sensors are selected from the group comprising a pressure gage, a moisture sensor, an electrical conductivity measurement probe for detecting a variation in the conductivity between two mutually spaced electrodes, a probe for measuring the capacitance of the space separating two electrodes to detect a variation in the capacitance of the space, and an optical sensor for detecting the presence of water on or in said ring portion.

18. Device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it also has an accelerometer (16) and / or a gyroscope and / or a device (17) for locating the monitoring device in the vicinity of a drinking or feeding trough.