---
title: "How to read cattle feed bunks with computer vision"
description: "Mount fixed cameras over the feed alley, or take phone photos on a set route at the same times each day, then use a model trained on the farm own photos to sort each pen or section into the bunk score levels the farm already uses, such as empty, a little left or a lot left, and to mark spots where feed has been pushed out of reach. The feeder or herd manager sees the suggested scores by pen before deciding how much to feed. The model only suggests scores from what it can see; people set the feed amounts, and any concern about animal health or intake goes to the herd manager and the farm vet or nutritionist."
url: https://lidvizion.ai/answers/how-to-read-cattle-feed-bunks-with-computer-vision/
site: Lid Vizion
index: https://lidvizion.ai/llms.txt
---

[Direct answers](https://lidvizion.ai/answers/)

# How can a dairy or feedlot use computer vision to help with daily bunk reads?

Mount fixed cameras over the feed alley, or take phone photos on a set route at the same times each day, then use a model trained on the farm own photos to sort each pen or section into the bunk score levels the farm already uses, such as empty, a little left or a lot left, and to mark spots where feed has been pushed out of reach. The feeder or herd manager sees the suggested scores by pen before deciding how much to feed. The model only suggests scores from what it can see; people set the feed amounts, and any concern about animal health or intake goes to the herd manager and the farm vet or nutritionist.

## What this means in practice

- Agree the bunk score levels and the times each day when bunks are read
- Take photos from fixed spots or a set route so each pen looks the same every day
- Collect photos that the feeder has already scored, for each pen and ration
- Show suggested scores by pen to the feeder, who sets the feed amounts and records the final score
- Add scored photos back into training as rations, pens and seasons change

## How Lid Vizion approaches it

We start with the business decision and operating context, define ownership and measurable milestones, then use configuration, integrations, automation, or custom software only where each earns its place.

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