Globally,the Rising Plate Meter(RPM)is a device used to measure compressed sward height,to enable estimation of herbage mass.Despite improved farm management practices aided by a variety of technological advances,the ...Globally,the Rising Plate Meter(RPM)is a device used to measure compressed sward height,to enable estimation of herbage mass.Despite improved farm management practices aided by a variety of technological advances,the standard design of a RPM has remained relatively unchanged.Recently,however,a RPM utilising a micro-sonic sensor,with digital data capture capability via a Bluetooth communications link to a smart device application,has been developed.Here,we assess the comparable ability of both a standard cumulative ratchet counter RPM and the micro-sonic sensor RPM,to accurately and precisely measure fixed heights.Moreover,as correct allocation of grazing area requires accurate geolocation positioning,we assess the associated GPS technology.The micro-sonic sensor RPM was significantly more accurate for height capture than the cumulative ratchet counter RPM.Overall,across all heights,the cumulative ratchet counter RPM underestimated height by 7.68±0.06mm(mean±SE).Alternatively,the micro-sonic sensor RPM overestimated height by 0.18±0.08 mm.In relation to a practical applications,these discrepancies can result in an under-and overestimation of dry matter yield by 13.71%and 0.32%kilograms per hectare,respectively.The performance of the on-board GPS did not significantly differ from that of a tertiary device.Overall,the wireless technology,integrated mapping,and decision support tools offered by the innovative micro-sonic sensor RPM provides for a highly efficacious grassland management tool.展开更多
文摘Globally,the Rising Plate Meter(RPM)is a device used to measure compressed sward height,to enable estimation of herbage mass.Despite improved farm management practices aided by a variety of technological advances,the standard design of a RPM has remained relatively unchanged.Recently,however,a RPM utilising a micro-sonic sensor,with digital data capture capability via a Bluetooth communications link to a smart device application,has been developed.Here,we assess the comparable ability of both a standard cumulative ratchet counter RPM and the micro-sonic sensor RPM,to accurately and precisely measure fixed heights.Moreover,as correct allocation of grazing area requires accurate geolocation positioning,we assess the associated GPS technology.The micro-sonic sensor RPM was significantly more accurate for height capture than the cumulative ratchet counter RPM.Overall,across all heights,the cumulative ratchet counter RPM underestimated height by 7.68±0.06mm(mean±SE).Alternatively,the micro-sonic sensor RPM overestimated height by 0.18±0.08 mm.In relation to a practical applications,these discrepancies can result in an under-and overestimation of dry matter yield by 13.71%and 0.32%kilograms per hectare,respectively.The performance of the on-board GPS did not significantly differ from that of a tertiary device.Overall,the wireless technology,integrated mapping,and decision support tools offered by the innovative micro-sonic sensor RPM provides for a highly efficacious grassland management tool.
