LIVESTOCK FARMERS have been invited to sign up to new grass management field labs that will use satellite data to help them boost productivity and sustainability.

The PASTORAL – Pasture Optimisation for Resilience and Livelihoods – project will be split into three field labs focusing on beef, lamb, and dairy production. Coordinated by the Innovative Farmers network and funded by Innovate UK, these will connect farmers with digital experts at the University of Edinburgh and Environment Systems to monitor pasture growth and quality.

The aim is to create a digital tool, designed in partnership with farmers, that will use algorithms based on satellite data, such as weather information and field images, to deliver regular updates and predictions to help improve grassland productivity and sustainability.

Steve Keyworth, founder and director at Environment Systems, said: “Until now, farmers have relied on their experience and tools like rising plate meters to use small samples to assess how much grass will be available for grazing. But this doesn’t give them a complete picture and with a changing climate it’s becoming increasingly difficult to predict growth, which can make decision-making challenging for farmers.

“By using cutting edge technology, we can revolutionise pasture performance by utilising satellite data to provide predictions in real time on how grasslands will perform under different conditions. This will allow farmers to make the right adjustments at the right time, boosting pasture quality and quantity.

“It should also improve farm sustainability by showing the potential for carbon storage on pastures, and help to reduce the need for imported feed supplements and chemical applications," said Mr Keyworth. “We need farmers to be involved in designing this service from the start so that it works for them and is tested in real farming situations.”

Kate Still, livestock advisor for Innovative Farmers and the Soil Association, said: “If farmers know more accurately how their pastures are performing, they can develop their business to make even better use of them, delivering more forage for their animals. This increased information on productivity can build confidence to farm more agroecologically, creating healthier soils that can store more carbon and support more wildlife.

“It is essential that farmers have access to all the information about their farms that could unlock these benefits, and that they are involved in developing the right tools to help them translate that data. This is a really exciting area with lots of potential, and we would encourage livestock farmers to get in touch to help shape the development of the tool, so it truly delivers for resilient farm businesses.”

PASTORAL service testing, development and demonstration is set to take place across organic and regenerative agricultural systems, as well as conventional farming..

Farmers interested in PASTORAL can sign up to find out more about these trials and receive details of an upcoming workshop, which will start the co-design process and evaluate the needs of farm businesses for pasture performance technology.

This is likely to take place on Monday February 28, or Tuesday March 1, depending on farmer availability. On-farm events are due to follow in the Spring.

To sign up, visit the Innovative Farmers website or contact the team from PASTORAL – Carys Selman or Tara O’Neill on 01970 626688 or pastoral@envsys.co.uk.