Recommended Measurements:
Above Residual:
Aim for a measurement between 11.5 and 13 cm in height on a plate meter.
Or 150kg to 300 kg above your target residual.
Measuring a residual directly can be difficult as the grass will be dirty which can disrupt results. We will manually input the residual.
Mid Range
Aim for a measurement between 13 - 15cm and 15 - 18cm on the plate meter. Or 2000 - 2400, 2400 - 2800kgDm.
If you do not have pasture coverage that high. Measure a low, mid and high for your range of growth.
High Value
Aim for a measurement between 18 - 20cm. Ensuring the measurement is no higher than 20cm.
Avoid lodged grass as that is difficult to measure. We will max out paddocks at 3000 KgDm/Ha coverage.
Step 3:
Ground Calibration Measurements
We Need To Create An Equation To Replicate Over The Whole Farm.
The Setup:
Ensure Its Calibrated
Refer to your device’s instruction manual to ensure it is properly calibrated and providing reliable measurements.
Choose A Measurement Device
A rising plate meter or a tow-behind pasture meter can be used. Ground-truthing is needed to ensure the drone accurately replicates your measurements across the whole farm.
Find Some Markers
You will need 4 markers to use as a reference point for yourself to know what area to need to measure. You will then mark the location of these points using the Measure map app on your phone.
The Conditions:
Avoid Wet Grass
Rain can compress grassland, causing false readings that do not accurately represent actual pasture conditions.
Avoid Strong Wind
Strong wind can flatten grass, leading to false readings that do not accurately reflect actual pasture conditions.
Avoid Rough Ground
Create test plots on smooth ground. Rough or pugged areas can cause uneven, inaccurate results.
Avoid Wheel Tracks And Trampled Grass
Ensure there is no wheel tracks or trampled grass in your test plot.
Move Away From Gateways And Fences
Avoid creating test plots near gateways or fences. Use central paddock areas where ground and grass conditions are more favourable
Avoid Over Grazed Areas
Measurement devices perform poorly in overgrazed pasture, especially where trampling has left the ground muddy.
Required Measurements:
From Residual To Target
Aim to record measurements from residual to grazing target, record measurements in 4 increments from low range, mid range and high range. (e.g. 11 - 12cm, 14 - 15cm and , 19cm +).
Measure the full range of cover available on your farm.
Measure Established Pasture And Young Pasture Sepertley
Young pastures and un grazed pastures need separate measurements to established pasture in rotation.
In Rotation
Only measure paddocks in your grazing rotation. Paddocks in rotation have different characteristics compared to paddocks not in your rotation. If you would like to measure paddocks in rotation, ensure you create separate measurements.
Ensure Quality
If your measurement does not add up. Do it again. Ensuring you avoid holes or rough grass which is difficult to measure. Untidy pastures are difficult to measure. Ensure it is in the grazing rotation, or create a separate range of measurements for these paddocks.
10 by 10M Test Area
Place a marker, walk 10 meters, place a second marker, make a 10 by 10 meter square. Walk methodically up and down the square. Measuring the whole area.
Collect Lots Of Data
Once you collect a wide range of data over many readings. We can create calibrated equations for your farm. Removing the need for calibration plots. We can extract the data straight from the drone imagery.