Agribot, an artificial intelligence and climate technology firm, has partnered with Agri-EPI Centre to develop a groundbreaking grassland modelling solution. This collaboration, funded by Innovate UK, aims to provide farmers with accurate grass growth measurements, revolutionizing the industry and bringing about significant environmental benefits.
The project, known as “Grasslands Modelling for Improved Utilisation,” sets itself apart from previous grass growth forecasting methods by combining Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technology with a novel two-week probabilistic weather model. SAR is a form of radar that can easily penetrate clouds, providing year-round reliable data on the dry matter mass cover in identified fields.
By utilizing this innovative technology, farmers will have access to real-time information about their fields, enabling them to make informed decisions and enhance farm productivity. This not only saves farmers money but also reduces the carbon footprint of dairy herds.
Chris Knight, founder of Agribot, emphasizes the importance of this technology in the face of increasingly erratic weather patterns and the significant amount of agricultural land dedicated to grasslands. He explains, “Our app is helping to change this by addressing the problem in three stages: using real-time satellite radar data to find out what’s happening now, creating a 2-3-day weather forecast, and finally a 2-3-week growth forecast for grass based on our long-range weather and localized climate models.”
Rob Morrison, Head of Dairy at Agri-EPI, highlights the benefits of this technology for farmers. With knowledge about rainfall patterns and grass growth, farmers can proactively manage resources, minimize waste, and reduce costs. This not only strengthens their financial independence but also enhances their ability to withstand economic and climate-related shocks. Well-managed rotational grazing also helps restore and enhance grassland ecosystems.
Furthermore, grassland modelling aligns with the UK’s goal for net-zero carbon emissions. Increasing the utilization of grassland by just 1% could boost the annual profitability of the UK dairy and livestock sector by £22 million. The test farms involved in this feasibility study are already experiencing the benefits, and the project aims to engage with the wider Agri-EPI network to increase adoption.
Accurate weather and growth forecasting is an increasingly valuable resource, particularly in the face of accelerated climate change. The Grassland Modelling project not only forecasts the impacts of climate change but also works to mitigate them through effective farm management. Grassland can act as a carbon sink, removing carbon from the atmosphere. By implementing shorter grazing periods and longer rest periods for the grass, manure can decompose, allowing microbes to flourish and populate the soil, increasing the amount of carbon that the soil can sequester.
Existing grass growth measuring techniques, such as plate meters and satellite multispectral imagery, have proven to be inaccurate and time-consuming. Satellite multispectral imagery, in particular, is hindered by clouds and changeable weather, with tests conducted in 2020 finding that only 30% of the satellite images were usable.
In conclusion, the partnership between Agribot and Agri-EPI Centre to develop a grassland modelling solution is set to revolutionize the agricultural industry. By providing farmers with accurate and real-time data on grass growth, this technology will not only save farmers money but also bring about significant environmental benefits. It aligns with the UK’s goal for net-zero carbon emissions and helps farmers proactively manage resources, minimize waste, and reduce costs. This project is a crucial step towards a more sustainable and resilient future for the dairy farming sector.