Abstract Although partial least squares (PLS) regression, a full‐spectrum bilinear regression method, is widely used in laboratory calibrations of pasture quality, increasing evidence indicates that PLS models include some redundant wavelengths. Consequently, more careful wavelength selection might improve their predictive accuracy, especially field applications. We compared the ability using whole and selected wavebands from situ canopy reflectance spectra over 400–2350 nm to predict...

Abstract Monitoring behavior of grazing animals is important for the management systems. We developed a new automatic classification system eating, ruminating and resting activities cattle using three‐axis microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) accelerometer. fitted accelerometer to Holstein cow in tie‐stall barn Japanese Black at pasture, measured their under‐jaw accelerations 1‐s intervals. The was also video‐recorded. raw acceleration data processed create 12 variables: mean, variance...

Abstract It is now accepted that partial least squares (PLS) regression with waveband selection might improve their predictive accuracy in multivariate calibration of models to describe pasture mass and quality. Recently, genetic algorithm (GA) has been shown be a suitable method for selecting wavebands the laboratory calibrations. This study aimed investigate performance algorithms PLS (GA‐PLS) analyses estimating green forage biomass (GBM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), acid (ADF), lignin...

Plant height is a key indicator of grass growth. However, its accurate measurement at high spatial density with conventional ruler time-consuming and costly. We estimated accuracy speed using the structure from motion (SfM) portable light detection ranging (LiDAR) systems. The shapes leaf tip surface ground in grassland were determined by unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)-SfM, pole camera-SfM, hand-held LiDAR, before after harvesting. Grass was most accurately difference between maximum value...

Abstract Timely and accurate weed detection in pasture is critical for efficient grazing management. Although high‐resolution images from unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) offer new opportunities the of weeds at farm scale, pixel‐based image analyses do not always produce best results object‐based analysis (OBIA) has improved discrimination accuracy. In present study, we evaluated performance OBIA on UAV by integrating random forest (RF) classifier with auxiliary information layers to...

Abstract This study investigated the ability of a field hyperspectral radiometer (400–2350 nm) and genetic algorithm‐based partial least squares ( GA ‐ PLS ) regression to estimate legume content in mixed sown pasture H okkaido, J apan. Canopy reflectance data plant samples were obtained from 50 selected sites spring M ay) summer (July) 2007 n = 100). The predictive accuracy was compared with that multiple linear MLR standard full‐spectrum FS for datasets. Overall, highest coefficient...

This study aimed to estimate green herbage biomass (GBM) and crude protein (CP) concentrations of a mixed-sown pasture in Hokkaido, Japan using ground based hyperspectral measurements geostatistical analysis. The consisted relatively flat section renovated by over-seeding grass (Subunit 1, 2.6 ha) hilly aged 2, 5.0 ha). Hyperspectral reflectance plant data were collected for 22 days August 2009 from 88 plots within the two subunits. For mapping, separate spectral readings, without sampling,...

Legume content in grass–legume mixtures is a key parameter for deciding the forage quality and amount of fertilizer application to pasture due nitrogen (N) fixation. To estimate legume grass-white clover (WC) mixed Hokkaido, we searched robust hyperspectral wavebands from situ canopy reflectance spectra over 400–2350 nm range comparing phased regression with bootstrap procedure (PHR-BS) (Ferwerda et al. 2006) forward stepwise multiple linear (FS-MLR). Canopy data plant samples were obtained...

Abstract This study explored a new hand‐held crop growth measuring device to estimate forage quality and quantity of pasture. The device's photosensors (550 nm [green], 650 [red] 880 [near‐infrared; NIR ] regions the spectrum) are set up in both upward downward directions, which shorten time field even under unstable weather conditions. sward canopy reflectance measurements sampling were conducted at 50 sites pasture July 2007 20 same 4‐week intervals from May October 2006 2007. Using...

Abstract The objective of this study is to evaluate the ability a newly developed hand‐held crop‐measuring device and vegetation indices ( VI s) estimate herbage biomass BM ), leaf area index LAI ) forage crude protein mass CP in an Italian ryegrass Lolium multiflorum Lam.) field, Japan. uses bi‐directional passive sensors (550, 650 880 nm) upward downward overcome major drawback optical remote sensing as influenced by weather conditions. canopy reflectance plant sample data were collected...

Abstract Production of hay at a proper moisture level is critical to reduce the spontaneous heating and nutrient loss during preservation phase. Herein, we explored new method for estimating content (MC) field curing forages that uses portable spectroradiometer (400–900 nm) hand‐held normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) meter. The spatial distributions were assessed by multispectral camera with unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) platform. Field spectral measurements conducted daily 10...

Abstract Utilization by cattle of a pasture with heterogeneous environment was assessed from early May to late October 2005 based on the behavior two cows fitted GPS units and bite counter collars as members group 10 animals. The (7.6 ha; established in 1967 five temperate species) consisted three subunits (almost identical sizes) differing renovation history, vegetation terrain: Subunit 1, relatively flat section renovated over‐seeding grass 2002; 2, sloped (no renovation); 3, including...

Abstract This study aimed to predict the spatial distribution of cattle dung based on Bayesian estimation with a generalized linear mixed model ( GLMM ) and an intrinsic conditional autoregressive CAR using herbage green biomass GBM distance from water trough (D w in rectangular slope‐grazed pasture (0.85 ha) Hokkaido, Japan. After 4‐day grazing trial (June 14–18, 2010) 20 Japanese Black cattle, we set 10 × m grid cells (total 85 cells) paddock counted number deposits (N d each cell. The 95%...

Understanding the spatio-temporal elimination pattern of grazing cattle is important for management. We thus developed a new method detecting defecation events using three-axis accelerometer. The accelerometer was fixed on tails three Japanese Black steers in pasture, with x-, y-, and z-axes being set to front-to-back, side-to-side, vertical directions relative normal tail position, respectively. behavior also visually observed. 3-sec moving average calculated from raw acceleration data...

Livestock select places in a pasture that offer high-quality and nutritious grass, these selections cause spatial heterogeneity reduced productivity. To maximize the efficiency of systems, it is important to understand spatiotemporal information regarding livestock grazing behavior. In this review, we describe studies conducted develop simple tool for determining cow foraging behavior, predict distribution excrement (dung) steeply sloping pasture. An accelerometry-based activity monitor,...

Abstract Accurate determination of the weed ratio in artificial meadows is critical for efficient pasture renovation. Reed canary grass ( Phalaris arundinacea L., RCG) treated as a troublesome Hokkaido region Japan because its low feed quality and poor palatability dairy farming. In present study, we examined method identifying dominant area RCG timothy Phleum pretense L.) by applying Canny to unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV)‐based digital surface model (DSM) images. Comparing actual patches...

メドウフェスク草地に全日，定置放牧し，放牧飼養している8頭のホルスタイン種搾乳牛においてライジング・プレート・メーター（RPM）による牧草採食量の推定値と体重差法による牧草採食量の推定値から求めたウシのTDN充足率について，両者の比較を行いそれぞれの特徴を明らかにした．また，グルカゴン，トリヨードサイロニン（T3），サイロキシン（T4）の血中濃度を測定し，TDN充足率に対する変化を調査した．RPMにより求めたTDN充足率は82～251%であった．体重差法により牧草採食量を推定する時は，（夕方の給餌，搾乳前体重）−（朝の給餌，搾乳後体重）−（夕方乳量）とするのが，適切と考えられた．ホルモンについてはT3，T4 の血中濃度は試験期間中有意な変化は認められず，グルカゴンの血中濃度は有意に上昇している期間が認められた．血中グルカゴン濃度の変動が放牧飼養のウシのエネルギーの過不足を反映している可能性が示唆された．