Location: Livestock Bio-Systems
Project Number: 3040-31630-001-004-A
Project Type: Cooperative Agreement
Start Date: Jun 17, 2024
End Date: Jun 15, 2029
Objective:
Develop, utilize, and evaluate precision livestock and rangeland management technologies for cattle to measure and manage production traits, grazing behaviors, rangeland health,and ecosystem services provided by beef cows grazing extensive rangeland and pasture systems.
Approach:
To accomplish this objective, we will utilize a suite of precision technologies and sensors such as cameras, GPS tracking, accelerometers, virtual fence collars, electronic individual feeders, satellite imagery, greenhouse gas emission sensors, and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). These technologies will provide key insights into animal and rangeland production at multiple spatial and temporal scales. These data will be used to develop management strategies to optimize animal performance, livestock driven ecosystem services, and rangeland stewardship for sustainable livestock production. Specific research emphasis will focus on use of virtual fence for animal management, precision nutritional management using electronic feeding systems, and greenhouse gas emissions of cattle grazing on rangelands. Cooperation will be facilitated through pasture sites at ARS and the Cooperator that are part of the Platte River High Plains Aquifer Long-Term Agroecosystem Research (LTAR) network.
