BOVINOSE: Pheromone-Based Sensor System for Detecting Estrus in Dairy Cows

The BOVINOSE project (www.bovinose.eu) aims to develop an electronic nose to detect estrus in a dairy cow, and thus to determine the optimal timing of artificial insemination. The physical principle is based on detection of sex pheromones that are secreted by the cow, exclusively during estrus. These pheromones are the natural olfactory signal for the bull that the cow is in heat. This technology aims to help the dairy farmers in the EU, the vast majority being micro-enterprises run as family businesses.