Birth management needs in rangeland systems and potential digital solutions
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.
Additional information
The DIGI-Rangeland project brings together partners from 10 countries, coordinating national networks (France, Romania, Greece, Spain, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Iceland, Norway, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland), and also disseminating its knowledge within the Balkan network with its Croatian partner. Consult our publications and documents on the project website: https://digirangeland.eu
DIGItal innovation and data technology network for RANGELAND livestock farming systems
Ongoing | 2025-2029
- Main funding source
- Horizon Europe (EU Research and Innovation Programme)
- Geographical location
- France, Romania, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Iceland, Norway, United kingdom, Switzerland