DIGItal innovation and data technology network for RANGELAND livestock farming systems

Livestock production on marginal lands is usually linked to permanent grassland grazing as part of extensive agroecological farming systems such as agroforestry. Livestock grazing should be based on adequate and flexible stocking rates usually linked to farmer experience to match grassland production and animal needs. Livestock paddock rotation is the basis to ensure homogeneous grazing pressure in permanent grasslands avoiding both over- and undergrazing. Overgrazing causes permanent grassland resilience reduction, being related to negative environmental processes such as biodiversity losses, soil erosion and compaction and heavy nitrate leaching, while undergrazing promotes biodiversity losses, encroachment usually associated with an enhanced forest fire risk considering current climate change challenges. Landscape associated with marginal lands is strongly dependent of the presence of megahervibores (i.e. domestic animals) needed to maintain landscape cultural and traditional uses. Current marginal lands are usually linked to negative rural demographic trends enhanced by the rural population emigration and ageing therefore subsequently associated to the lack of farmers to maintain the landscape. Rural Areas Digitalization linked to geolocalization collars and virtual fencing can definitively contribute to reduce the impact of lack of farmers in protected landscapes. Geolocalization collars are essential to find animals in large areas helping farmers to follow up the livestock movement. Moreover, recording livestock geoposition during different periods can be analysed to understand grazing behavioural patterns linked to over- and undergazing and feed palatability to better organize large rangeland areas. Once identified under- and over-grazed areas, the use of virtual fencing is essential to favour or prevent grazing in order to maintain the landscape, provide the best feed for livestock and promote ecosystem services in those marginal lands.

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• Livestock sector digitalization and landscape promotion

During the first DIGI-Rangeland transnational workshop held in Romania in November 2025, five farmers from Norway, Slovenia, Switzerland and Iceland shared experiences regarding the "indoor-outdoor balance“ in rangeland livestock production systems. Even in extensive rangeland livestock production systems  there is a need to house livestock occasionally for management purpose or for short or long periods due to bad weather and/or poor grazing conditions. Good control of this is important with respect to animal welfare and productivity,  grazing and land management. Many of the DTIs available for ruminant livestock need to be suited both for indoor and outdoor use. DTI can also assist in optimising the overall balance between indoor and outdoor periods in ruminant livestock production systems. In Switzerland, digital Rising Plate Meter is used for measuring grass growth and is useful for making decisions about grasing in general, not at least to find out when it is time to end the indoor period and start grasing.  Drones with digital cameras can be used for the same purpose in larger areas. GPS-tracking of animals is useful in many ways, for example when gathering animals from rangeland areas at the onset of an indoor feeding period.  Virtual fencing could be a good tool for controlling pasture use on cultivated or semi-cultivated land close to farms in the spring and/or autumn periods between indoor feeding and rangeland grazing. EID- controlled access to feed supplements is much used in dairy cattle barns but needs to be better implemented for sheep, goats and for outdoor use in general. Cameras for accessing body condition scores, connected to animal EIDs are promishing. Automatic live weight assessment with weighing cells strategically placed at feeding or drinking stations  and working with animal EID can be useful both indoor and outdoor. Surveillance cameras and (in some cases) sensors are well accepted for monitoring animal behaviour, especially indoors.

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• Indoor- outdoor balance in rangeland livestock farming

During the kick-off meeting of the DIGI-Rangeland project held in Scotland in February 2025, project partners were presented with some of the issues faced by Scottish farmers and land-users. Split in 3 groups, the partners (Bulgaria, Croatia, France, Greece, Iceland, Norway, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and Switzerland) then reflected on the commonalities and differences with their own countries. Issues around deer and wildlife, as well as problems of depopulation, ageing of farmers, connectivity and digital infrastructure were similar in Spain, France, Iceland, Bulgaria and Greece. Predator problems were more pronounced in Romania, Croatia, France and Spain, with large carnivorous species. Differences were also highlighted. Property ownership (state/town versus private, large estate versus small owners) was different between partner countries, leading to different types of land use management. The scale of Scottish farms was also very different from the other countries, and the intensity of farming was also different across the scale (e.g. Switzerland). Water scarcity was also an issue in most countries, especially those in Southern Europe. However, despite those differences, some solutions showcased by the Scottish hosts were deemed promising by the partners: the use of trial cameras and drones to monitor wildlife and livestock, use of virtual fencing, and animal tracking (with GPS collars). These initial discussions bode well for the rest of the project, where needs will be clearly identified, and digital solutions proposed, enabling the sharing of good practices, digital innovations and ideas amongst the partners.

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• Common challenges amongst DIGI-Rangeland partners countries

A workshop conducted at the Dadia Information Center in Evros, Greece, identified key needs and challenges faced by farmers in rangeland areas. With regard to practices and management of extensive ruminant farming systems, the 28 participants (14 farmers mainly engaged in sheep, cattle, and goat production, 1 agricultural advisor, 3 representatives of public organizations, and 10 researchers) reported disease-related losses (e.g. sheeppox), predation, and limited access to drinking water as major challenges. They also highlighted the need for rangeland restoration and improvement, as well as more effective grazing and pasture management, including rural road rehabilitation. The second topic focused on the use and sharing of rangeland areas among stakeholders. Participants identified conflicts with alternative land uses such as wind farms, solar panels, hunting activities, power lines, religious land uses, forestry, and other agricultural and livestock activities, along with pressures from predation and water scarcity. Consequently, they emphasized the need to reduce land-use conflicts, promote rangeland regeneration, and improve grazing management. In addition, they stressed the importance of raising public awareness of rangeland practices and their benefits for more sustainable land use, which is also linked to the third thematic area. The final topic addressed the development and promotion of rangeland products and services. Participants emphasized the need to strengthen public awareness of rangeland practices and benefits, as well as to enhance social cohesion and ties within rural communities.

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• Farmers’ needs and challenges in Greek rangelands

The workshop explored the needs and challenges associated with the adoption of digital tools in rangeland systems in Bulgaria gathered during an online workshop involving 17 stakeholders (farmers, advisors, researchers, environmental NGO representatives, and a public authority representative). Participants highlighted structural and institutional constraints affecting grazing livestock systems, particularly in the context of predominantly communal grasslands managed by the municipalities or the state. Despite series of policy reforms following EU accession in 2007 aimed at fair and balanced allocation of common grasslands to individual farmers, challenges persist. Additionally, a significant proportion of mountainous rangelands falls within protected areas or Natura 2000 sites, where strict conservation and non-flexible regulations often limit farming activities, even under extensive practices. Key challenges identified include also labour shortages, especially the lack of skilled shepherds/herders, and a declining interest in livestock farming. 

Barriers to digital tool adoption were reported as limited network coverage in remote grazing areas, insufficient and inadequate digital infrastructure, low awareness and knowledge of available technologies, incompatibility with existing practices, complex administrative procedures and digital platforms, and insufficient training opportunities and support for developing digital skills.

Stakeholders emphasized the need for digital solutions tailored to pasture and herd management, including animal tracking, security, and remote monitoring. Additional priorities include improving grassland quality, mitigating wildlife-related risks, and enhancing environmental monitoring and early warning systems for climate-related hazards. Participants concluded that successful digital tools for rangeland systems require context-specific adaptation and the active involvement of farmers in the co-development process.

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• Challenges, Barriers and Needs for the Use of Digital Tools in the Rangelands i…

The first Romanian National Workshop (NWS1) of the DIGI-Rangeland project brought together livestock farmers managing High Nature Value (HNV) grasslands to explore the role of digital technologies in extensive systems. Held at Ferma Cătean (Brașov County), the workshop focused on identifying real needs, challenges, and barriers from a farmer perspective.

Discussions showed that farmers are open to digital tools, particularly where these can reduce administrative burden, improve pasture management, and support product marketing. However, adoption remains limited due to high costs, poor connectivity in grazing areas, lack of practical training, and limited access to local technical support.

Across all thematic areas, participants emphasised that tools must be simple, affordable, and adapted to small-scale farms. In farm management, there is a need for basic digital record systems and offline-capable tools. In land use, farmers highlighted the importance of accessible mapping solutions and better communication between land users and authorities. In marketing, there is growing interest in digital promotion, but a clear need for skills development and guidance.

A key finding is that digitalisation cannot be addressed in isolation. Farmers stressed that technology should support, not complicate, their work, and that peer learning, demonstration activities, and local advisory support are essential for uptake. The workshop confirms that successful digital innovation in rangelands depends on combining simple technologies with training, trust-building, and solutions grounded in real farm conditions.

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• Farmer-led insights on digitalisation in extensive rangeland systems

In South-Eastern Europe, rangelands and pastoral systems are linked to mountainous, karst and marginal areas, where livestock production, biodiversity and rural livelihoods depend on continued grassland use. In Serbia, North Macedonia and Croatia, these areas face similar pressures: fragmented land ownership, abandonment of remote pastures, shrub encroachment, local overgrazing, erosion risk, climate stress and limited data for planning. In North Macedonia, sheep breeding is still connected to extensive and semi-nomadic systems, using mountain meadows in summer and winter pastures during the rest of the year. The sector is based on individual farms, autochthonous breeds and traditional production, but faces declining flock numbers, uneven regional distribution and the need to improve feeding, breeding and farm management. Similar challenges appear across the region, where High Nature Value grasslands depend on low-intensity grazing, but are threatened by intensification in accessible areas and abandonment in less profitable ones. Digitalisation can address these problems if it responds to field conditions. GIS pasture mapping, digital orthophotos, satellite and vegetation monitoring, animal tracking, mobile advisory tools and shared databases can support the identification of vulnerable pastures, grazing pressure, shrub encroachment, water availability and land-use changes. They can also help advisors and institutions move from fragmented information towards targeted management plans. However, uptake is still limited by weak rural broadband, low digital skills, high costs, small farm structures and lack of practical demonstrations adapted to pastoral systems. Therefore, the priority is not simply to introduce advanced technologies, but to combine traditional pastoral knowledge with affordable digital tools, advisory support and farmer training. This can help protect biodiversity, maintain viable livestock systems and improve sustainable rangeland management.

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• Digital tools for sustainable rangeland management in SE Europe

The national workshop of the HORIZON DIGI-Rangeland project in Slovenia was held at the Chamber of Agriculture and Forestry of Slovenia (CAFS) in Ljubljana, both in person and online. It involved 18 stakeholders, including farmers, advisors and representatives of agrarian communities. Discussions focused on three themes: management of extensive livestock systems, land use and sharing, and development and promotion of products and services. 

Key challenges in farm management included predation by large carnivores, an ageing farming population, and climate change impacts such as drought and extreme rainfall. Short grazing seasons and limited land for feed production were also highlighted. Participants emphasized the need for effective predator control tools, financial support for young farmers, and improved management practices, including better water supply and livestock monitoring in remote areas. Regarding land use, unclear ownership, inconsistent legislation and grazing restrictions were identified as major barriers. Participants stressed the need for legislative improvements, stronger cooperation between institutions, and a shift towards decision-making that better reflects farmers’ needs. Greater societal recognition of farming was also highlighted. In product development, challenges included weak cooperation, unfair pricing and negative public perception. Opportunities were seen in collective branding, digital marketplaces and links with tourism. Barriers to digitalisation included poor connectivity, high costs, lack of skills and ageing farmers. Issues with drones and GPS collars were also noted. Participants emphasized the need for better support, improved dialogue and continued collaboration to ensure sustainable rangeland management.

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• Needs and challenges of farmers in rangeland areas in Slovenia

A workshop in Switzerland brought together 21 participants (farmers, advisors, researchers, veterinarians, and representatives of agricultural organisations) to identify needs and challenges related to the adoption of digital technologies in rangeland systems. Regarding how to improve practices and management of extensive livestock farming systems, participants expressed the wish for a tool connecting grass growth with weather data. Another key challenge identified was parasite transmission between different livestock herds as well as wildlife and the need for earlier disease detection. The second topic discussed was how to facilitate the use and sharing of grazing land among different stakeholders. Participants emphasised the need for better communication and coordination between farmers and other actors to improve mutual understanding and reduce conflicts. The third topic focused on the development and promotion of products and services. Participants noted that grazing is taken for granted by Swiss consumers. Rangeland products are difficult to differentiate from other products due to the complex labelling system leading to low consumer awareness and limited willingness to pay extra. Participants expressed a need for greater transparency regarding the extent of grazing, clearer communication of grazing benefits as well as a simpler, more automated documentation of grazing activities. Finally, participants identified key barriers to the adoption of digital technologies, including high costs, poor network coverage, limited accuracy, and a lack of integration between systems. In addition, many technologies were seen as insufficiently adapted to Swiss conditions.

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• Farmers' needs and challenges in Swiss rangeland grazing systems

The first DIGI-Rangeland Spanish Workshop was held in October 2025 in Galicia, organised by AGROFORECOL-USC with INNOGANDO and the cooperative A CARQUEIXA. It gathered rangeland farmers and other stakeholders from the Ancares and O Courel mountains (a Biosphere Reserve) and across Galicia, all linked to extensive livestock systems.

The workshop included presentations, group discussions and a field demonstration, aligned with DIGI-Rangeland’s three areas: (i) improving extensive livestock management through digital and technological innovations (DTIs), (ii) facilitating access to and sharing of grazing land, and (iii) promoting quality products and ecosystem services from rangelands.

Participants identified key challenges. At farm level: access to affordable grazing land, financial support, technical assistance for digital tools, and suitable local breeds. Social challenges included generational renewal, rural connectivity, bureaucracy, training needs, and work–life balance. At landscape level: land costs, fragmentation, consolidation, CAP recognition of grazing areas, and difficulties applying technologies in mountainous areas. Rotational grazing and restricted access to land were also highlighted.

In value chains, main issues were weak product differentiation, low consumer awareness, limited market access, low cooperation among producers, and weak integration in value chains.

DTIs such as GPS collars, animal monitoring platforms, and traceability tools generated strong interest. However, farmers stressed the need for affordable, robust and simple solutions adapted to small, fragmented mountain systems. Poor connectivity, maintenance costs, training needs, and trust in data reliability remain key barriers.

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• DIGI-Rangeland first steps at NW Spain - Galicia

Workshop held at Hvanneyri, Borgarfjörður, Iceland gathered a representative group of stakeholders working at or close to farm level to identify the main challenges, needs, and barriers related to the digitalisation and innovation of extensive livestock systems, across all the three thematic areas of the DIGI-Rangeland project. Below are some key points raised in group work and discussions. Regarding practices and management of extensive ruminant farming activities and systems, lack of recruitment is making certain tasks such as animal gathering, herding and fence maintenance increasingly challenging. Also, better monitoring of nutrition, health and welfare of animals would increase production efficiency and make it possible to respond more quickly in the event of wrong nutrition, illness or accident. Regarding the shared used of rangeland areas with other stakeholders, more comprehensive planning and better consultation on land use and fencing issues between different groups is needed. There are multiple opportunities related to the use of technological solutions for improved grazing management. This will result in better pasture and positive environmental impacts that can be used to build a more positive image externally. This also relates to the topic of developing and promoting quality rangeland products and ecosystem services. It is a great challenge to promote the image of pasture-based livestock farming to different social groups, but here digital solutions create new opportunities. Some of the main obstacles or barriers regarding increased use of digital technologies were similar across the topics discussed. High initial cost and limited durability of devices are common barriers. Older farmers are more reluctant to implement new technologies. Lack of recruitment could therefore prove to be an obstacle. The grazing landscape in Iceland is diverse and vast, making it more difficult to scale up some technological solutions.

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• Farmers' needs and challenges in the Icelandic rangeland grazing systems

Workshops held in Oppdal, Voss and Meråker in Norway highlighted key needs and challenges faced by farmers in mountain rangeland areas, and helped launch the Norwegian DIGI-Rangeland network. Regarding how to improve practices and management in extensive ruminant systems, participants pointed to low profitability, labour and time constraints, and increasing documentation requirements. They stressed that today’s digital tools are fragmented and called for lower-cost, practical technologies and better integration and data sharing between apps and platforms to reduce administrative burden and support better decisions. The second topic discussed was how to facilitate the use and sharing of rangeland areas with different stakeholders. Farmers described conflicts linked to the right to roam, loose dogs, tourism pressure, cabin development and wild carnivores, and asked for clearer rules, better public knowledge, improved dialogue with other land users and authorities, and strengthened grazing rights, alongside more effective local predator management. The last topic discussed was how to develop and promote products and ecosystem services from rangeland systems. Participants highlighted low product prices (including wool) and negative or uninformed attitudes toward grazing animals, and emphasised the need for stronger communication, visibility and marketing that explains the cultural, landscape and climate value of grazing, while recognising that different rangelands require different grazing solutions. Insights from the workshops will guide future co-creation so project activities respond to farmers’ priorities.

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• Farmers' needs and challenges in the Norwegian rangeland grazing systems

To identify the challenges and needs of French pastoral livestock farmers in rangeland areas, particularly in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, participants from a GO PEI operational group (PACAPIT) expressed its needs in a first step, then a workshop with 27 participants (20 livestock farmers - mainly meat sheep and cattle sectors -, 3 technicians, 3 engineers and 1 stakeholder from the regional natural park) helped to complement the diversity of viewpoints and needs. Participants highlighted major priorities to improve extensive ruminant systems: flock and protection dog locating and monitoring, surveillance of pastoral facilities (paddocks, fences, water points), and easier animal counting in large flocks. Predation management (wolves) is critical. Data exchange with advisors and veterinarians, improved management of grazing agreements with landowners, and better adaptation of digital tools to pastoral conditions were also emphasized. About how to facilitate the use and sharing of rangeland areas with different stakeholders, participants have expressed specific issues and needs. Key concerns include degradation of pastoral lands and facilities and external pressures (tourists, quad bikes, motorcycles). Farmers stressed the need to educate other users about pastoral practices and signal the presence of flocks and protection dogs. They also require tools to document incidents (e.g. dog bites), improved knowledge of grazing calendars (including climate change impacts) by forestry services, conflict mitigation with hunters, and maintenance of footpaths. Finally, regarding the development and promotion of products and services provided by these livestock farming systems in rangeland, participants highlighted key needs. These include better recognition of their role in maintaining open landscapes and shrub control, strategies to access and secure shared water resources, development of collective animal transport, and adding value to wool.

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• Farmers' needs and challenges in the French rangeland areas - Focus on the Prov…

A workshop held in the Loch Lomond and Trossachs National Park in Scotland (UK) highlighted the following needs and challenges faced by farmers in these rangeland areas. Regarding how to improve practices and management of extensive ruminant farming activities and systems, the 15 participants (9 farmers – mostly meat sheep and beef cattle producers, 2 agricultural advisors and 3 researchers) said that record keeping was an issue, as well as linking farm data (e.g. disease incidence) to a central database for better informed decisions. They also wished for a lighter regulatory touch, and for farm management software to be able to speak to each other. The second topic discussed was how to facilitate the use and sharing, of range­land areas with different stakeholders. Participants wished for more education at all levels (and different types of education and communications), better communication between the agencies and farmers, to understand each other’s motivation and issues, with all parties being contactable. They also wished for more consequences for (bad) actions (deterrents), with more rangers or community wardens with specific roles when dealing with Regional or National parks areas. The need for a more balanced view between farmers and wildlife interest was highlighted. Finally, there was a need for better infrastructure (masts, fibre network, etc.). The last topic discussed was how to develop and promote products and services provided by these rangeland systems. Participants highlighted the need to acknowledge that different types of rangelands need different grazing solutions, and that better communication and education about these areas is needed, with people from practical rangeland backgrounds involved. There was also a need for standard metric or scale for each benefit that these systems provide, that all can use and interpret easily.

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• Farmers' needs and challenges in the UK rangeland areas

The uptake of digital technologies and innovations in rangeland livestock systems remains limited, as many tools are not adapted to extensive conditions, and farmers face barriers such as poor connectivity, high costs, and unclear benefits. The first DIGI-Rangeland transnational workshop, held in Brașov, Romania (November 2025), brought together over 50 participants including farmers, advisors, researchers, and other land-users from across Europe. Participants shared national experiences on needs, challenges, and obstacles related to digital tools, and worked in groups to identify priorities and potential solutions. Farm visits in Transylvanian rangeland systems complemented discussions, showcasing practical examples such as intelligent electric fencing, sensors for livestock management, and automated feeding systems. The workshop confirmed that digital needs differ significantly between countries and farming systems, but common challenges include lack of interoperability between tools, limited infrastructure, and the need for better training and advisory support. Combining practical demonstrations with peer-to-peer exchange helped participants better understand which technologies are relevant and applicable in real farming conditions. Digital solutions for rangeland systems must be adapted to local conditions and co-developed with farmers. Transnational knowledge exchange, combined with on-farm demonstrations, is an effective way to identify relevant tools and support their adoption.

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• Identifying practical digital solutions for rangeland farming through transnati…

During the first DIGI Rangeland transnational workshop in Romania, farmers from Iceland, Slovenia, Norway, the UK and Switzerland discussed key needs associated with birth management in cattle and sheep rangeland systems. The discussion focused not only on birth management itself, but also on the period leading up to parturition as well as fertility management. Common needs identified included heat detection and ovulation tracking, pregnancy scanning, colostrum quality, as well as improved animal observation—covering both mothers and their offspring. In cattle systems, feed quality was highlighted as particularly important for successful reproduction and calving. In sheep systems, participants emphasized the need for targeted support during the flushing period before mating. In a second step, participants listed existing tools used in rangeland farming. These included sensors such as accelerometers, EID ear tags and GPS collars, as well as refractometers for colostrum analysis. Additional tools mentioned were ultrasound scanners, electronic grass plate-measures, cameras and drones. The group then matched identified needs with available technologies. Heat detection and estimation of calving time in cattle can be effectively supported by accelerometers. In sheep, ultrasound scanning is used to determine pregnancy status and the number of lambs expected, enabling farmers to adjust feeding strategies accordingly. Refractometers were identified as a useful tool for assessing colostrum quality. For some needs, no single tool-based solution was available. However, participants discussed how existing technologies could still provide partial solutions.  The importance of bringing data together from several different sources was highlighted, to aid farm management decisions associated with birth management.

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• Birth management needs in rangeland systems and potential digital solutions

During the first transnational workshop in Romania, participants from different countries also discussed on the topic of animal transport. The grazing period on pastoral area typically starts in May or June and ends in September or October, depending on the country and climate conditions. In some regions, it’s possible to use pastoral areas all year round. Participants also discussed the need for agreements among farmers regarding the use of pastoral grazing pastures. These agreements vary depending on the situation—in some cases they are necessary, while in others they are not. Participants shared their experience around the type of transport to bring animals on pastoral areas. For short distances, flocks and herds can move on foot, or by tractors or small vehicles with trailers for small flocks/herds. When distances are longer and flocks/herds bigger, they use trucks. Trucks are driven by specialized companies, incurring significant costs.

In certain areas, there are veterinarian constraints to move animals to assure the sanitary status of the flocks/herds. Special attention was given to the use of electronic ear tags (EID), which are widely used in countries such as Norway and France, to help farmers to manage and count the animals before transports. Animal welfare is an important aspect of transport. The use of cameras and sensors in transport vehicles was highlighted, as already practiced in countries such as Norway, to monitor animals during transport.

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• Animal transport practices and challenges in different countries

During the first DIGI Rangeland transnational workshop in Romania on predation and livestock protection, farmers from Slovenia, Switzerland, Croatia, Spain and Norway shared their experiences with predator pressure and the measures they use to safeguard grazing animals. Across these countries, the main predators include wolves (all countries), jackals (Slovenia, Croatia), foxes (Spain, Norway), bears, lynx, wolverines and eagles (Norway). In Spain, farmers also highlighted risks from wild boar, birds of prey and disease transmission from wildlife such as tuberculosis.

To reduce losses, farmers rely on a range of protection tools. Electric fencing is widely used in Slovenia, Switzerland and Croatia, although it is limited to smaller areas. Croatia also uses 'dog walls', while Spain combines permanent fencing, mastiff guardian dogs, cameras and information systems, and previously kept animals indoors at night. Norway faces challenge due to large unfenced rangeland areas with free roaming grazing livestock and multiple predator species; farmers there use early gathering from grazing areas if predation (particularly by wolverine), rely on support for predator control, and use GPS collars to detect attacks quickly.

Participants also discussed digital and emerging solutions. GPS collars help identify ongoing predation events and locate animals, though they require skills to interpret data and reliable connectivity. They do not prevent losses as such. Virtual fencing enables rotational grazing on common land and can create designated safe resting areas to reduce predation risk. Electric fencing and other physical barriers remain impractical for large landscapes.

Consequences of predation: reduced livestock numbers lead to less grazing, which accelerates bush encroachment and increases the risk of wildfires. It also affects biodiversity and rural livelihoods. In this way, predation affects not only farm viability but also landscape management and ecosystem resilience.

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• Perspectives on predation and protection of grazing livestock

During the first DIGI-Rangeland transnational workshop held in Romania in November 2025, seven farmers from the UK, France, Iceland and Bulgaria discussed their best practices to gather animals from the rangeland areas in order to administer health treatments. The methods used were: drone with heat camera and microphone to push the sheep down from the mountains (Iceland), quad bikes to gather the sheep (UK, Iceland), use of horses to gather the sheep (Iceland), use of nets to contain the sheep (France), use of walkie-talkie to communicate, as well as dogs (UK), and use of GPS collars on some of the sheep to know where the sub-flocks are before gathering (France). Once the animals are gathered, the farmers from these countries use mobile handling facilities to treat the animals, EID tag or ear notch to know the animals are theirs (to ID them), and use of bolus and relay to know where they are (dairy cattle in Bulgaria).

Other comments and best practices from these farmers related to how some of them ‘select’ the animals to keep. The animals straying too far (and known from the GPS information collated) will be culled. The farmers also said they use group chats (e.g. WhatsApp) to decide how to organise the gathering, the routes to use, share of locations. Some also use 3D maps (functionality of iPhone) to show the other shepherds where the gathering routes are (also good for Health & Safety). One farmer also said they take paying tourists to help with the gathers. However, farmers also highlighted the lack of tracks/the need to make new tracks to facilitate gather and reaching the animals. Trees were also a problem to locate the animals.

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• Best practices to gather animals for health treatments in rangeland areas