SMART HANDHELD DEVICE FOR AUTOMATIC BLOOD ANALYSIS: INNOVATIVE PREDICTION OF SHEEP PREGNANCY AND LITTER SIZE

“As an Alberta-based discovery and tool to support Canadian lamb production, and a novel product for the international market, we are
optimistic of the tremendous potential this device and the processes that go into it will hold for the livestock industry”

How will this research help increase the competitiveness and profitability of Alberta’s agriculture industry?

With the development of a smart, handheld device for automatic blood analysis, this innovative technology can provide a more clear prediction of sheep pregnancy and litter size. Current livestock diagnostic methods generally involve expensive laboratory equipment run by specialized personnel. The creation of a point of care – pregnancy litter size (PoC PLS) tool will allow targeted nutrition management
of ewes to enhance lamb survivability and ultimately improve flock profitability & competitiveness.