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