How Auto Grazer Detects Grazing
Auto Grazer uses location signals from cow trackers to help determine where a herd is grazing during each feed slot (the time window when grazing normally occurs).
The system looks at where the herd’s trackers appear during that period and identifies which paddock has the strongest presence of the herd.
Signals that occur around the middle of the feed slot carry more weight than signals near the beginning or end.
This helps the system focus on when cows are settled and grazing rather than when they are moving between paddocks or returning to the yard.
When a paddock is recorded as grazed
A paddock will generally be recorded as grazed when most of the herd’s trackers are located in the same paddock during the feed slot and that paddock has a stronger presence of tracker signals than surrounding paddocks.
In some situations more than one paddock may be recorded for a feed slot, for example if the herd moves between paddocks during the grazing period.
Situations where grazing may not be detected
Auto Grazer may occasionally miss a grazing event when tracker signals are split between
several locations at the same time. Common examples include:
- Animals are drafted away from the herd (AI, health checks, treatment pens).
- Trackers are spread across multiple paddocks during the feed slot.
- Feed slot times do not match when animals are actually grazing.
- Paddock boundaries in Pasture.io are inaccurate or overlapping.
How tracker numbers affect detection
Auto Grazer looks for a clear majority of the herd’s trackers in the same paddock. If trackers are split between multiple areas at the same time, the system may not detect a grazing event for that slot.
For this reason, grazing detection tends to work best when the herd remains mostly together during the feed slot.
Tips for reliable grazing detection
- Fit trackers to cows that normally stay with the main herd.
- Ensure feed slot times match when cows are actually grazing.
- Keep paddock boundaries accurate and avoid overlapping polygons.
- Ensure trackers are assigned to the correct herd.
- If animals are regularly drafted away during grazing times, consider adjusting feed slot timing.
Important note
Tracker signals are used to help interpret herd movement and grazing activity. Results may vary depending on animal behaviour, GPS reception, and network conditions.