Wildlife Conservation In High Fawning/Calving Areas Using Thermal Imaging as a Precision Agriculture Tool Josh Porter SOIL 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 – tons of grass/alfalfa hay (pasture mix) – Peas and Barley for winter feeding

Picture of rolled baler here 800 th acre

Why Thermal Imaging o Late October- Early December Gestation Period o 190 days-210 days

1 st Cutting 1 st or 2 nd week in June Mid-late October (breeding season)+ 200 days= 1 st Cutting

Problems for farmers A permanent solution for wildlife Problems 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 ($ /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 Fauna Finder