PRECISION RANCHING: APPLICATION OF EMERGING TECHNOLOGY TO IMPROVE RANGE MANAGEMENT AND OPTIMIZE CATTLE PERFORMANCE

Our long-term goal is to evaluate and integrate emerging management technologies on a ranch and landscape level to develop a suite of tools and efficiency metrics that beef producers can use to optimize individual animal efficiency and range conditions. This will ultimately improve their personal efficiency, work-life balance, profit margins, and sustainability for future generations. We will accomplish our long-term goal with three main objectives:Objective 1: Implement a precision grazing system and determine the impact on animal efficiency, forage production, the environment, and economics compared to a continuous grazing system. Objective 2: Develop and validate a remote sensing (satellite imagery) algorithm to optimally inform the precision animal and land management tool (virtual fence).Objective 3: Conduct Extension and outreach programs to inform producers about PG systems and technologies and communicate to consumers about environmentally sustainable practices.