The final on-farm workshop for our PASTORAL project took place at the Agri-Epi’s South West Dairy Development Centre on the 9th of August. Many of those in attendance receive pasture biomass data from the project and their comments and feedback continue to shape this digital service.
We showcased some of our latest work, comparing modelled pasture covers to measurements taken in the field. The PASTORAL team has collected detailed ground data from nearly 200 plots and participants are also sharing their rising plate meter data with us. Feedback from farmers has been promising, but there’s always room for improvement and we are currently focussing on calibration.
Mike Jones, Dairy Technical Manager at South West Dairy Development Centre, our host for the event, described the centre’s aims and purpose as a data-gathering platform and a farm to test new and emerging technologies. Mike also received pasture biomass data through PASTORAL and spoke about how estimates compare to other measures.
Katie Evans, Senior Knowledge Exchange Manager at AHDB, also joined us. Katie’s key message was the need to measure to manage; she said, ‘You can’t manage what you don’t measure’. Katie highlighted the value of data in improving resilience and better managing risks throughout the season and the need for data more widely within the livestock industry.
The workshop was an excellent opportunity to share technological developments and listen to our farmer’s needs.
We concluded the day with a tour of the centre, including the Lely milking robots, the grazing platform layout, and the carbon flux tower.
The PASTORAL on-farm workshop series has helped shape this tech for good solution. The direct feedback from farmers participating in the project has been critical as we develop it further.
PASTORAL (Pasture Optimisation for Resilience and Livelihoods) is working with livestock farmers nationwide to develop and test a digital tool to help farmers increase productivity and carbon efficiency by improving pasture performance and management.