Interrogation of GPS tracking data to determine spatial grazing preferences of livestock

Abstract

Yield monitors linked with GPS have revolutionised the grains industry and been one of the key drivers behind the adoption of site specific land management. We suggest that GPS tracking of livestock can provide graziers with data which, when fully developed, may enable them to understand spatial variability in pasture utilisation by their livestock and potentially implement site specific management to account for biomass and nutrient removal and redistribution. This poster reports on an initial trial established to examine the potential of a GPS tracking system developed at the university of New England for determining the spatial variability in resource utilisation of pastures.