Identification of operational performance attributes for pasture measuring devices

Authors

  • C.R. Eastwood
  • B.T.Dela Rue

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2017.79.532

Abstract

Abstract Farmers have expressed difficulty determining the performance of precision farming devices both before and after purchase. The aim of this study was to develop guidelines for operational performance of pasture measuring devices using a Delphi survey method with 25 dairy pasture management specialists. The eight important attributes of devices for use on dairy farms, as identified by survey respondents were: the device is easy to use; weekly data are available during high pasture growth periods; data are available within 24 hours of measurement; data are accurate; data are collected quickly; data are easily uploaded into third party software; the device is easy to maintain; and the device has been/can be calibrated for ryegrass/ clover swards. The attributes identified through this process provide measurement device developers with a design guide. The results also provide farmers with a list of attributes to consider when investing in pasture measuring devices or services. Keywords: pasture measurement, technology development, precision grazing, Delphi survey

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Downloads

Published

2017-01-01

How to Cite

Eastwood, C., & Rue, B. (2017). Identification of operational performance attributes for pasture measuring devices. Journal of New Zealand Grasslands, 79, 217–222. https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2017.79.532

Issue

Volume 79, 2017, Whanganui

Section

Past volumes

License

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Rights granted to the New Zealand Grassland Association through this agreement are non-exclusive. You are free to publish the work(s) elsewhere and no ownership is assumed by the NZGA when storing or curating an electronic version of the work(s). The author(s) will receive no monetary return from the Association for the use of material contained in the manuscript. If I am one of several co-authors, I hereby confirm that I am authorized by my co-authors to grant this Licence as their agent on their behalf. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes the rights to supply the article in electronic and online forms and systems.