"The nodes are worn by cattle with the information retrieved being used to help develop methods for classifying and modelling herd behavior under different environmental conditions.

"By combining this with additional information gained from sensor networks, a wealth of knowledge can be gained on the effect of environmental and herd factors on animals' development over their lifetime."

Researchers are also investigating ways of combining information from WSNs with the National Livestock Identification System (NLIS). As part of the NLIS, all cattle are required to wear RFID tags which enables tracing their locations and interactions throughout their whole lifetime.

Dave Swain, autonomous livestock systems group leader at CSIRO Livestock Industries, said WSNs provide the opportunity to autonomously monitor and manage livestock production systems in real time.

"For the first time we will be able to simultaneously deliver triple, bottom-line (environmental, economic and social) benefits by allowing land managers to develop and deliver precision management options in a more labor efficient way" Swain said.