wildlife conservation in high fawning/calving areas using thermal imaging as a precision agriculture...
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Wildlife Conservation In High Fawning/Calving Areas Using Thermal Imaging as a Precision Agriculture Tool
Josh PorterSOIL 4213
Spring 2011
Porter Seed and Cattle • Located in the mountains of Western
Colorado• 3600 deeded acres– 1200 head of yearling cattle– 1275 acres irrigated (pivot, big gun)– 799 acres farmable– 1800-2300 tons of grass/alfalfa hay (pasture mix)– Peas and Barley for winter feeding
Picture of rolled baler here800th acre
Why Thermal Imaging
o Late October- Early December
Gestation Period
o 190 days-210 days
1st Cutting
• 1st or 2nd week in June
• Mid-late October (breeding season)+ 200 days= 1st Cutting
Problems for farmersA permanent solution for wildlifeProblems customers (horse, dairy)Health problems for livestock
PROBLEMS
• Killing fawns/calves at early growth stages
• Botulism C1 or “forage poisoning” in livestock
• Spoiling High $ hay with animal carcasses($225-250/ton)
• Depleting deer/elk populations
Recommendations
• Locate wildlife in front of implement using a thermal imaging sensor
• Notify operator of wildlife location
• After locating animal, operator makes decision
Faun-a Finder thermal imaging sensor
Alarm
Alarm signaled when spike in temp is detected
Wildlife presence
Visionary Concept
“Faun-A” Finder• Thermal imaging components• Alarm linked into “streaming” monitor system • Spike in temperature detected on monitor• Operator determines the next step
Goals of Thermal Imagining as a Precision Agriculture Tool
• Decrease amount of wildlife fatalities• Decrease percentages of forage poisoning• Promote wildlife awareness• Ensure a balanced ecosystem
Sensing Technology Availability
Wildretter (Game Guard)
Thermal Imaging
Beneficial to wildlife
Helps ensure the safety of feed stocks
Visionary approach to the inevitable (precision agricultures future)
Precision Agriculture
Precision Agriculture
Fauna Finder