GPS technology as a tool to aid pasture management on dairy farms

This research determined the accuracy and precision of Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled devices as a potential tool to automate recording onfarm grazing events, which can be used indicate productivity paddocks (with number grazings per year), or, when combined with other farm data, estimate nergy harvested. Static tests were initially conducted determine devices’ (location error) (Circular Error Probability; CEP). Based on 11 Agtech 22 mOOvement tested, mean location error was 5.4 m 34.2 m, respectively. The 95% CEP 13.9 77.6 In subsequent on-farm study, cows in 400- cow milking herd fitted an ear tag two digitanimal collars. Data analysed for AM PM periods four days. collars recorded 62.3% total observations correct paddock, instead adjacent or races, compared 52.5% 45.2% tags. These results suggested that GPS technology isfeasible automated events. However, longer-term study is required demonstrate value this could have farmers.