Precision Ranching

Pushing the technological envelope, a team of researchers at the University of Alberta is giving ranching a whole new spin. Precision ranching is the popular name for an innovative research program in sustainable landscape and animal management systems. Or as AFNS's Dr. Mick Price, one of the lead academics on the project, says, "we're trying to use modern electronic communication technology to ensure the right animal is in the right place at the right time."

The group is creating a three-dimensional digital model of the University's ranch at Kinsella, mapping out every feature from trees to fences to animals. Details such as topography, vegetation, climate, soils and human factors will be available to the team. The philosophy behind the project is to set up a research situation where observers can actively evaluate the full consequences of ranching management decisions.

Four weather stations will monitor atmospheric conditions every second of the day while root periscopes will carry cameras underground to capture the environment below the soil. Being able to find out what is happening to plant roots without having to dig them up is unique and invaluable, says Price. "We can identify an organism and literally come back a month later to see how it responds to snow, rain, fire, fertilizer...anything. We will be learning about things that were unknown before."

Cattle will be fitted with collars that track their movements and actions throughout the day, giving researchers an unparalleled opportunity to watch the animals' interactions with each other and the environment.

According to Dr. Edward Bork, a range management professor in the Department and a co-leader of the project, understanding different techniques to improve the distribution of animals in the landscape will mitigate negative environmental impacts. "At Kinsella, we can look at much more intensive management because we can control so many areas at a fraction of the cost."

Currently, the project is funded largely by a grant from Alberta Innovation and Science's Research Investment Program (ISRIP) but the professors are also applying for smaller operational grants. Setting up the remaining infrastructure is their main priority with an expected completion date of 2003. Studies are already in the works, says Bork.

Dr. Bob Hudson from the Department of Renewable Resources will employ the technology to gauge wildlife productivity and multi-species grazing systems. AFNS's Dr. Stephen Moore has plans to use automated feed stations to track individual weight gain and food consumption by beef cattle. The collars, controlled by a Global Positioning System (GPS), will record where and how the animals spend their time once in the pasture.

"This is very, very exciting," says Bork. "It represents such an innovative way to study animal/plant interactions and will put us at the forefront of research in this area."