Development and application of real-time sensors for enhancing productivity and efficiency at pasture

Abstract

We are undertaking a project that will develop technologies that can be used to measure efficiency of production on pasture for cattle and sheep and then use these technologies to develop applications that lead to enhanced efficiency of production. More specifically, the project will initially prove up a benchmark system to provide accurate, precise data against which techniques and technologies that estimate intake by individual animals on pasture can be ground-truthed. The objectives are: 1. Use real-time sensors and sensor network technologies to develop predictive algorithms for individual animal intake of pasture; 2. Ground-truth these predictive algorithms using chemical markers and biomass disappearance techniques and quantify repeatability and robustness for individual animals; 3. Evaluate predictive algorithms on groups of animals grazing together against chemical markers; 4. Undertake a small-scale proof of concept study on a herd/flock basis as a lead in to genetic evaluation project.