Vion introduces virtual glasses for cows

Vion is the first company in the sector to introduce virtual "cow glasses" to train its employees and optimize barn layouts.

Vion recently installed a new cattle slaughter line at its plant in Altenburg in Thuringia. The company first reconstructed all areas that are associated with working with live animals. Among other things, the stalls have been redesigned in accordance with the latest developments in the field of animal protection and welfare. “The new barn encourages the cows to move forward independently, using the animal's herding instinct,” explains Dr. Veronica Weber, Group Quality Manager at Vion.

For the first time, Vion used the virtual "cow glasses" developed by the Center for Agricultural Education (LBZ) in Echem in Lower Saxony in a barn renovation. The virtual "cow glasses" software (COM Wetzlar) mimics what cows see with their own eyes. What the cow sees is displayed on the screen of the goggles and therefore allows the user to feel how the animals see their surroundings.

“Cow's eyes have a circular vision of almost 330°, but they can only see ten percent of their field of vision in front of them in focus. Outside this range, their visual acuity is only 30 percent of the human eye. Cows also perceive contrast to a much greater extent and take longer than humans to get used to changes in brightness,” says Dr. Veronica Weber.

"This 'vision' helps ensure that animal welfare remains a priority in the design and redesign of slaughterhouses and can lead to the right quantifiable goals," says project leader Benito Weisse of LBZ Echem, who developed the virtual goggles with an expert team. 

“The structural changes to the building in Altenburg will make the cattle barn more comfortable,” confirms Dr. Veronica Weber. David De Camp, COO of Vion, says: “The purpose of using cow goggles is to reduce stress in animals and thus improve animal welfare. The fact that virtual goggles have already helped us integrate animal welfare concerns into slaughterhouse design and recycling demonstrates how Vion is an industry leader in innovating technology.”