Greg Carter-Brown (Dairy Farmer)
Greg owns and manages a dairy farm in the south of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.
EVI satellite image, which is one of the many indices used on Greg's farm.
NDVI satellite image, which is one of the many indices used on Greg's farm
Greg Carter-Brown on his dairy farm in South Africa.
Integrating Pasture.io into Daily Farming Life
Every morning, my routine starts the same way: I check the weather, look at my bank account, and then dive into Pasture.io. It's become an indispensable part of my day-to-day operations on the farm.
Using Pasture.io gives me a comprehensive overview of what's happening across my fields, which is crucial given how rapidly our pasture growth rates can change here in South Africa—from as low as 10 to as high as 60. The ability to stay on top of these fluctuations is vital for effective pasture management.
Maximising Pasture Utilisation and Reducing Waste
Before Pasture.io, managing the swift changes in grass growth was a significant challenge. Grass would often become too long, leading to wastage and inefficiency.
Pasture.io enables me to make quick decisions, such as whether to put dry stock onto the milking platform, allowing me to capitalise on pasture growth. It helps ensure that I’m not wasting resources and that my cows are getting the best quality pasture available.
Enhancing Pasture Quality and Cow Health
One of the most impactful changes I've noticed is the improvement in pasture quality and the increased amount of pasture in my cows' diet.
Traditionally, there's a belief that dairy cows can only consume between 12 and 14 kilograms of pasture. However, inspired by practices in Tasmania where cows consume up to 18 to 20 kilograms of straight pasture without concentrates or silage, I've been pushing my herd to increase their pasture intake.
Pasture.io has been instrumental in this transition, helping me monitor and adjust as needed to maintain milk production while reducing feed costs.
Unexpected Benefits: Monitoring Irrigation Systems
An unexpected but highly valuable benefit of Pasture.io is its NDVI mapping feature. I use it to monitor my irrigation systems closely.
The maps help me quickly identify areas where pivot nozzles might be blocked or where irrigation isn't reaching effectively. This allows me to address issues promptly, ensuring that every part of my pasture receives the water it needs. It's become a crucial tool for checking up on irrigation and has undoubtedly contributed to the overall health of my pastures.
Improving Farm Profitability Through Better Pasture Harvest
In our recent study group meeting—comprising over 75 dairy farmers—we discussed how pasture harvest is a significant factor in farm profitability.
Pasture.io has directly contributed to improving my pasture harvest. While it hasn't increased my milk production—which remains at about a 7,000 to 7,500-litre lactation—it has significantly decreased my cost of production.
By increasing the efficiency of pasture utilisation, I'm getting more out of my existing resources, which positively impacts my bottom line.
A Tool Worth the Effort
Pasture.io isn't magic; it requires you to input your cows, fertiliser, and other data. But if you're willing to work with the program, the benefits are substantial.
It has become a daily part of my farming operation, and I can already see the positive impact it's having. I look forward to comparing my numbers at the end of the year, but the improvements in pasture management and cost savings are evident.
Final Thoughts
For any farmer serious about enhancing pasture management and improving farm profitability, I highly recommend Pasture.io. It's more than just a tool; it's become an essential part of how I run my farm every day. I can't imagine farming without it now.