The main aim of the pasture research

In Hungary, the beef cattle herds are mainly kept on pasture. Monitoring rumination with digital sensors and regular grassland vegetation monitoring allows grazing optimisation by accurately timing the grazing rotations and providing sufficient data for grazing plan preparation. When protected grassland is used as pasture, this contributes to the proper condition of the animals and sustainable vegetation regeneration.

Activities

Our on-farm research is carried out on a large group of animals, with the active participation of farmers

  • Visiting pasture areas of farms and grassland vegetation surveys at different stages of vegetation
  • Monitoring the herd’s rumination data, accurately forecasting the optimal timing of grazing rotation
  • Observing differences in rumination’s values and temporal distribution between beef cattle breeds
  • Tracking animal movements using GPS sensors
  • Using satellite imagery to estimate pasture’s green mass and determining its carrying capacity for animals by comparing the animal movements and rumination values

Expected results

  • Optimization of pasture use
  • Improvement in the quality and composition of grassland through better grazing plans and timing, increasing its conservation value

Contact person

Balogh Petra

Petra Balogh

Research assistant
MSc in organic agricultural engineering

  • petra.balogh@biokutatas.hu
MNVH

The implementation of the research is supported by Hungarian National Rural Network (MNVH): www.videkihalozat.eu

Related research

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