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ARS Home » Plains Area » Las Cruces, New Mexico » Range Management Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #419890
Research Project: Knowledge Systems and Tools to Increase the Resilience and Sustainablity of Western Rangeland Agriculture

Location: Range Management Research

Title: Digital decision support tools for ranching

Author
item Aney, Angus
item Ramsey, Paige
item BURNETT, REANNA - New Mexico State University

Submitted to: Society of Range Management
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 1/1/2025
Publication Date: 2/13/2025
Citation: Aney, A.S., Ramsey, P.L., Burnett, R. 2025. Digital decision support tools for ranching. Society of Range Management. Abstract.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: There are a plethora of decision support tools available to beef cattle producers and others in the industry. Combing the internet to find a tool or multiple tools for a given purpose, however, can be time consuming for the user. Recognizing this challenge, the Sustainable Southwest Beef Project developed a library of decision support tools curated from around the internet and major app stores. The library is called Tools for the Beef Industry (TOBI), and catalogues over 500 digital decision support tools that are searchable by predetermined filter or by keyword, or both. Each tool catalogued has a short description, developer information (if available) and a link to where the tool can be accessed or downloaded. To date, TOBI has been visited over 864 times, with around 20% of those visits coming from repeat users. Users searching the database can find web-based tools such as Grass-Cast, a forage productivity prediction tool for the Great Plains and parts of the Southwest, smartphone apps, downloadable calculator spreadsheets, and even sources of precision ranching hardware such as virtual fence collars, remote rain gauges, and remote water level monitors.