Abstract

SALES-BAPTISTA, Elvira et al. Low-cost GNSS technology for monitoring grazing sheep. Rev. de Ciências Agrárias [online]. 2016, vol.39, n.2, pp.251-260. ISSN 0871-018X.  https://doi.org/10.19084/RCA15147.

Extensive livestock production is supported by natural and biodiverse pastures, characterized by marked seasonal variation of biomass, plant species and growth stage. The use of the food resources and the occupation of grazing space can be very heterogeneous in such conditions due to ruminants grazing behaviour. Successful grazing and pasture management requires an understanding of the adjustment mechanism behind the grazing behaviour that enables adaptation to grazing conditions. Use of GNSS technology allows grazing data collection but although available, is expensive, limiting its application for research purposes. This paper reviews the principles for the application of this technology and was designed to study the use of inexpensive commercial GNSS receptors (commercial of the shelf - COTS: CatTrack^TM"). Six receivers were used for six period’s collection data over two months of continuous grazing on a natural pasture. The accuracy of the receivers is 14m and 40m in static and dynamic tests, respectively. The precision was 3m and the reliability 80%. The tested equipment differentiates between animal activities (grazing, resting and transit). It also determines sheep locations, allowing the characterization of patterns, pathways and preferred areas. It is concluded that the COTS equipment has a high quality / price ratio, so it can become an important tool to support the decisions that are essential to a more precise pasture management.

Keywords : animal tracking; GPS collars; grazing behaviour; pasture management; precision livestock management.

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