Combining positional data with climatic and landscape data to understand the interaction of cattle with their environment

Abstract

This research provides proof of concept of integrating data from a range of sources by defining landscape use by cattle under different climatic conditions. Digital technologies provided data representing the climatic, geospatial, soil and pasture properties to characterise the grazing environment. Virtual herding technology defined animal position and activity. Data was collected at Waipori Station, a Pamu  owned high-country sheep and beef farm of approximately 9,271 effective hectares, located in Otago, New Zealand about 60 kilometres west-northwest of Dunedin (-45.8410008°S, 169.7966283°E). Three hundred and two rising-3-year-old first calving cattle with calves at foot were monitored in two 65 ha paddocks from February to May 2022. Cattle used various parts of the landscape
in different climatic conditions. Placement of cattle in sensitive parts of the catchment was identified. Activity patterns were also altered by climatic conditions. These insights, using integrated data sets, can guide farmer decision-making to reduce environmental impact and achieve animal welfare needs while optimising utilisation of the landscape when deploying virtual herding technologies. Further work is required to develop both the data storage systems and the protocols and algorithms to achieve successful integration.