Use of ICT tools to capture grass data and optimize grazing management

Project information

Use of ICT tools to capture grass data and optimize grazing management

Call: ICT and Automation for a Greener Agriculture

Id: 14307

Acronym: ICTGRAZINGTOOLS

Duration: 

1 June, 2013 to 31 May, 2016

Consortium:
No Partner Contact Country Total
1000€
Funded
1000€
Funder
1 Coord.TEAGASC - Agriculture and Food Development AuthorityBERNADETTE OBRIENIreland218.5218.5TEAGASC - Agriculture and Food Development Authority
2Hill&Mountain; Research Centre
Future Farming Systems
Scottish Agricultural College
Christina UmstatterUnited Kingdom36.90.0Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
3Forcefield Active Technologies Ltd.Patrick HaltonIreland85.00.0None
4Institut de l'Elevagevalérie BROCARDFrance198.3198.3French National Research Agency

Summary: 

Profitability on grass-based systems is driven by degree of grass utilization. This is influenced by increased growth and optimum management of that growth. Frequent measurement of grass parameters, e.g. herbage yield, height, density will facilitate increased herbage production and utilization. However, traditionally such measurement on farms is limited. The potential use of ICT for grass measurement is dramatic. This project will test the potential for linking herbage measurement with a spatial dimension, thus allowing precise allocation of feed using GPS technology to be accomplished through developed ICT tools, a smart phone and a grassland management Decision Support Tool (DST). Subsequent integration with 'virtual fence' technology will be evaluated experimentally. This approach will reduce the skill requirement around grass measurement, increase available information, provide an ICT dimension and spatial element to paddock performance and management.

Share your opinion: Add new comment