Source: TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY submitted to
MANAGING PASTURE ROTATION IN A SMALL FLOCK FREE RANGE EGG-TYPE BREED USING DRONE TECHNOLOGY
Sponsoring Institution
National Institute of Food and Agriculture
Project Status
ACTIVE
Funding Source
AFRI COMPETITIVE GRANT
Reporting Frequency
Annual
Accession No.
1029674
Grant No.
2023-69006-38979
Cumulative Award Amt.
$297,746.00
Proposal No.
2022-10367
Multistate No.
(N/A)
Project Start Date
May 1, 2023
Project End Date
Apr 30, 2025
Grant Year
2023
Program Code
[A1601]- Agriculture Economics and Rural Communities: Small and Medium-Sized Farms
Project Director
Maharjan, P.
Recipient Organization
TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
3500 JOHN A. MERRITT BLVD
NASHVILLE,TN 37209
Performing Department
(N/A)
Non Technical Summary
This project will study the feasibility of using of drone technology in managing a pastured poultry operation. The goal is to understand how incorporating drone technology impacts bird performance, predation rate, and farm economics of a small flock operation. An egg-type breed in a small flock pastured poultry operation will be evaluated at the production phase for performance parameters under two management system- "no drone use" versus "drone use". Six farms, two each from Eastern, Central and Western region of Tennesseewill participate in the study along with the research farm at the Tennessee State University. Limited resource and minority farmers will be prioritized as participant farmers in the study.The proposed project will evaluate the use of drone technology in a small flock management system to understand pasture rotation for an egg-type breed by measuring percent forage coverage. Egg-type breeds are typically rotated every 7-10 days from one foraging area to another in the available pasture. The optimal foraging area in the pasture will be identified with the aid of drone images as the next foraging patch for hens to rotate. Farmers of the participant farms will be trained on drone usage to incorporate it in routine farm management practice. Improvement in feed efficiency and egg quality characteristics will be accounted. The drone will also monitor the overall flock status such as flock behavior, mobility and mortality of hens, feeders, waterers, and fencing of participant farms. The labor efficiency as well as farm economics in terms of production inputs and performance outputs will determined for 'drone use' versus 'no drone use' management systems. The research results will be disseminated to extension agents, and backyard and small flock producers across Tennessee by conducting training workshops.
Animal Health Component
80%
Research Effort Categories
Basic
20%
Applied
80%
Developmental
(N/A)
Classification

Knowledge Area (KA)Subject of Investigation (SOI)Field of Science (FOS)Percent
30732101010100%
Knowledge Area
307 - Animal Management Systems;

Subject Of Investigation
3210 - Egg-type chicken, live animal;

Field Of Science
1010 - Nutrition and metabolism;
Goals / Objectives
The primary objective of this project is to study the feasibility of using drone technology in pastured poultry for an egg-type breed to facilitate pasture rotation by identifying optimal foraging areas in the pasture. The following parameters will be assessed:1) Performance parameters, 2)Labor efficiency, 3)Change in the predation rate, 4)Farm economics.
Project Methods
MethodsParticipant farms and farm operation type: There will be six participant farms (small-scale), two farms in each region (Eastern, Central, and Western) of TN. One farm will be a single operation while the other farm will be a diversified operation for each region. Each farm will consist of at least 0.5 acre of green pasture for birds to forage for experimental use.These two types of farm operations (single and diversified) will also be studied at the research farm at Tennessee State University (TSU).Participant farms will be selected based on participant farmer's perceived interest in doing small flock pasture poultry operation. Participant farms will be selected from farmers participating in Small Farm Expo or New Farmer Academy, both are successful agricultural outreach programs at TSU, as well as through county agent input. The participant farms will be chosen so that at least 50% of them are minority farmers.Bird use and rearing husbandry (0-21 weeks): An egg type breed (leg horns) will be utilized. 800 female chicks will be obtained from a NPIP certified hatchery and will be distributed to participant farms (100 chicks/farm). The remaining two hundred chicks will be reared at TSU research farm. Participant farms will rear chicks under a husbandry plan as devised by Dr. Maharjan to fulfill maintenance and growth need of birds at rearing phase (0-21 weeks). Pasture preparation (legumes and mixed forages) will be suggested timely to be ready for producing hens during production phase (22-46 weeks) (Zheng et al., 2021; Ponte et al., 2008a). Out of 100 chicks initially provided, only 60 egg laying hens will participate in the study for each farm.Trainings will be given to the participant farmers on husbandry practices and drone use basics (Workshops 1). The 2-day workshops will target six farmers of participant farms. These workshops will meet in the central region of TN on two different dates.Pasture rotation for birds at production phase and drone usage (22 to 46 wk.):A total of 0.5 acre or 21,780 ft2 will be used as foraging/pasture area in the study by each participant farm. The pasture will be virtually divided into 9 foraging areas. Each secured area (2420 ft2) will be a potential area of pasture rotation for hens. Sixty hens (~40 ft2/bird) will forage for a 7-day period before it is moved to next area.The production phase is the experimental period of this project. Every seven days the foraging area will be changed. For the first 4 weeks, the pasture rotation will be based on the conventional pattern as decided by the participant farmer without drone use. For the following four weeks, the pasture rotation will be done with the aid of drone image data. Each participant farmer will use the drone to capture images and engage in other activities as described below. There will be a total of three sets of repetitions of 'no drone use' versus 'drone use' on pasture rotation practices for each farm (Table 2) during the 24-week study period.Table 2: Treatment tableFarm operation typeDrone use pattern (YES or NO) during production phase (22 wks.-46 wks.)23-26 wk.27-30 wk.31-34 wk.35-38 wk.39-42 wk.43- 46 wk.Single/DiversifiedNOYESNOYESNOYESNO= Treatment(T)1 and YES=T2Drone, drone usage, and data collection and analysisThe DJI Mini 2 drone (DJI, California, USA) will be used. It is a cost -efficient drone for small farmers, easy to fly, and can be used for basic monitoring. The drone will be flown twice daily to monitor the flock when the birds are foraging- once in the mid-morning (9 am-11 am) another around dusk (one hour before sunset) before the birds will return to mobile housing. A drone will be flown at a specific height from the ground, (the relative altitude that hens may become acclimated to drone noise within a short period of time based on our preliminary work). The following information will be obtained for AM and PM drone flights from a 10-minute fly duration:Bird orientation in the foraging plot: Hurdled (<10 % area coverage of foraging patch versus scattered foraging (> 50% area coverage of foraging plot)Status of feed and water (mark as good or need supplement)Suspected morbid bird (less mobility in hens)Mortality (if any)Green forage coverage % in the pasture area (%)Corrective actions will be taken if the drone image identifies any abnormalities with flock status. The day before the pasture rotation (7th day of drone use), nine images will be captured, one for each foraging patch.Pasture rotation: The best foraging area of 2,920 ft2 within the whole pasture area will be decided and traced out based on the image analysis using Canopeo software (de Koff, 2020). The participant farmer will then rotate the flock to the identified patch area post 7-day grazing period.On each 7th day, an additional external fence monitoring of the whole farm will be conducted. The drone usage in this case varies depending on the perimeter of the yard each participant will have.Following data will be taken:Performance data: The following performance data during the production phase (22-46 wks.) will be obtained for each participant farm and the farm trial conducted at the TSU research facility:Feed efficiency (gram feed consumption to gram egg production)Egg quality characteristics (Vitamin A, E, fat profile including-Omega-3, Omega-6) (Ponte et al., 2008b; Folch et al., 1957). Pooled sample of 12 eggs from T1 and T2 from each farm (n=6 pooled replicates/each treatment) will be obtained for egg quality characteristic study. Mortality (%)Predation rate (%)Labor efficiency: Each participant farmer will be asked to log the time (in hours) spent on husbandry practices. Labor efficiency will be calculated as follows:Average time spent on farm per day ( 'drone use' period) / Average time spent on farm per day ('no drone use' period) * 100Farm economics: Cost associated with production inputs and performance outputs will be measured for the study period (22-46 wks.). Cost involved (22 wks-46 wks.) in daily husbandry practices such as feed, labor hours, utilities including drone and drone use cost, and farm income for the value of eggs and meat produced will be calculated.Dissemination plan:Research results will be disseminated via training workshops on small flock management for pastured poultry and discuss the potential use of drones in management practices. There will be a total of three workshops, one in each region of TN- Eastern, Central, and Western region. There will be 20 participants per workshop. The target audience will constitute five extension agents, and 15 backyard and small flock producers. Opportunities to participate in the workshop will be given to limited resource farmers based on nomination from county agents in the state. Accommodations and meals will be provided as necessary to motivate participationFactsheets, training videos, and journal publications: Factsheets (4 total) will be developed on the each of the topics covered in the training workshops. A training video will be produced on on-farm demonstration of using drones in small flock poultry management. The fact sheets and video will be published on the TSU extension publication website. Onejournal article will be published compiling the research results on performance benefits of using drone technology on pasture rotation in free range small flock pastured poultry management. The article will be published in the Journal of Applied Poultry Research.

Progress 05/01/24 to 04/30/25

Outputs
Target Audience:Target audience reached through this project for this cycle of reporting were similar as was in the 1st year of the project. 1. Small Flock Owners in Tennessee: This group primarily consists of small-scale poultry producers operating family-owned farms in Tennessee, including participants from Lick Skillet Farm,Kyle Rustic Farm, Heniscity Farm and individual farmers. These individuals typically manage flocks of varying sizes, ranging from backyard hobby flocks to small commercial operations (that sale their farm produce in local food markets). Targeted efforts were made to engage with this audience through direct discussions, workshops, and demonstrations to assess their interest and potential adoption of drone technology for flock management. 2. Participants at the Small Farm Expo, Tennessee State University, and county agents in TN: The Small Farm Expo attracts a diverse audience of small-scale farmers, agricultural enthusiasts, industry professionals, and stakeholders interested in sustainable agriculture and rural development. Participants include both current poultry producers seeking to enhance their operations and individuals considering entry into poultry farming. Multiple outreach activities (In-service training (2024-Oct 31st29, Nov.14, Nov. 21) - in East, Middle and West TN) - discussed the potential usage of the technology (drones) in the small flock management practices. Outreach activities at the expo focused on raising awareness about the potential applications of drones in small flock management and providing educational sessions on Part 107 training and poultry rearing basics. The meeting also discussed the use of automated mobile coop for pastured poultry, particulary for meat bird production. 3. Stakeholders Interested in Sustainable Agriculture and Technological Innovation: Beyond small flock owners, the project aimed to reach stakeholders interested in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and exploring innovative technologies. Engagement with this audience sought to generate interest, support, and collaboration for integrating drone technology into small-scale poultry farming to enhance efficiency, productivity, and environmental sustainability. Through other meeting participations - such as Precision Livestock Farming conference, TEAM agricultural meeting,and other invited poultry talks, farmers, stakeholders and policymakers were reached out on the project on their practices and potential usage of technology in small-flock management operations Overall, the target audience reached during the reporting period encompassed a diverse range of stakeholders involved in or interested in small flock poultry management, with a focus on fostering awareness, education, and engagement regarding the feasibility, potential benefits and challenges of utilizing drones in the flock management context. Changes/Problems:Some challenges faced were similar as reported in the 1st progress report: • Limited awareness and understanding of drone technology among participants, necessitating additional educational efforts. • Regulatory complexities surrounding drone operations, requiring careful navigation and compliance with Part 107 requirements. • Challenges with identifying farmers willing to take Part 107 certification and conduct on-farm research that fits into management practices and livestock operation. Additionally, due to continual avian influenza outbreak in the US since past few years including sporadic incidences in TN, the on-farm component of the project is somehow compromised. Experimental period or farmer participants on the on-farm research may be affected to an extent. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?The project findings have provided teaching material to discuss the utility of drones in pasture rotation for small flock managementfor poultry stakeholders while conducting meetings such as poultry in-service and small-flock management talks. Furthermore, the project also provided the opportunities for the participant farmers and students to get familiar with drone usage in small flock management, while also getting certified for Part 107. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The results have been disseminated to communities of interest - who are the small flock owners of Tennessee through conducting poultry in-service trainings and workshops. The findings have also been shared tothe scientific communities through participation in conference meetings such as Poultry Science and Precision Livestock Farming. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?Results will be obtained and analyzed for the bird work that are in progress- at the research farm in Tennessee State University and on-farm evaluations. Participant farmers will be sought for additional experimentation with the drone utility in small flock management.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? Bird trialsand related assessments (performance parameters, drone utility, labor efficiency, and economics)are in progress which were conducted at the Tennessee State University and on-farm with participant farmers.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Assessing the Feasibility of Drone-Assisted Pasture Rotation for Small-Flock Poultry Management: Preliminary Findings. p 1767 Pramir Maharjan, Jason de Koff, Biswajit Kumar Biswas. Precision Livestock Farming ECPLF 2024. ISBN: 979-8-3313-0354-9.


Progress 05/01/23 to 04/30/24

Outputs
Target Audience:Target Audience: Small Flock Owners in Tennessee: This group primarily consists of small-scale poultry producers operating family-owned farms in Tennessee, including participants from Lick Skillet Farm and Kyle Rustic Farm, and Heniscity Farm. These individuals typically manage flocks of varying sizes, ranging from backyard hobby flocks to small commercial operations (that sale their farm produce in local food markets) Targeted efforts were made to engage with this audience through direct discussions, workshops, and demonstrations to assess their interest and potential adoption of drone technology for flock management. Participants at the Small Farm Expo, Tennessee State University, and county agents in TN The Small Farm Expo attracts a diverse audience of small-scale farmers, agricultural enthusiasts, industry professionals, and stakeholders interested in sustainable agriculture and rural development. Participants include both current poultry producers seeking to enhance their operations and individuals considering entry into poultry farming. Multiple outreach activities (In-service training (2023-June 29, Sept.15, Nov. 5) - in East, Middle and West TN) and master backyard poultry programming in various counties (Stewart, Roane)- discussed the potential usage of the technology (drones) in the small flock management practices. Outreach activities at the expo focused on raising awareness about the potential applications of drones in small flock management and providing educational sessions on Part 107 training and poultry rearing basics. Stakeholders Interested in Sustainable Agriculture and Technological Innovation: Beyond small flock owners, the project aimed to reach stakeholders interested in promoting sustainable agricultural practices and exploring innovative technologies. Engagement with this audience sought to generate interest, support, and collaboration for integrating drone technology into small-scale poultry farming to enhance efficiency, productivity, and environmental sustainability. Through other meeting participations - such as Pasture Poultry Association, Regenerative Agriculture, PickTN and ARD meetings, researchers, farmers, stakeholders and policymakers were reached out on the project on their practices and potential usage of technology in small-flock management operations Overall, the target audience reached during the reporting period encompassed a diverse range of stakeholders involved in or interested in small flock poultry management, with a focus on fostering awareness, education, and engagement regarding the feasibility, potential benefits and challenges of utilizing drones in the flock management context. Changes/Problems: The project initially planned to rear birds from chicks to generate pullets/laying hens. However, hens at the laying phase will be obtained (from a trusted source/company) so that they can enter into the experimental phase post adaptation period. Data will be obtained for experimental groups (drone usage and conventional rotation) simultaneously. This will ensure that experimental results are consistent, simplifies the data analysis and facilitates more accurate comparisons between management approaches. Changes made will not affect the originally stated study goals. Some challenges faced: Limited awareness and understanding of drone technology among participants, necessitating additional educational efforts. Regulatory complexities surrounding drone operations, requiring careful navigation and compliance with Part 107 requirements. Challenges with identifying farmers willing to take Part 107 certification and conduct on-farm research that fits into management practices and livestock operation. Experimetal period or farmer participants on the on-farm research may be affected to an extent. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided? Showcased drone technology and its capabilities relevant to small flock management tasks particulary emphasized for the part 107 participant farmers and a graduate student. Conducted at two locations: Conducted at East TN (Lick Skillet Farm) and Research Farm at Tennessee State University. Demonstrated practical applications such as aerial imaging for pasture analysis, thermal imaging for detecting heat stress in poultry, and navigation for precise flock monitoring. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?The preliminary work and results of potential usage of drones with small flock management were disucussed with farmers, county agents, and other stakeholders (scientific community) at various meetings and outreach related activites. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals? Further collaboration with small flock owners. Continued training and capacity-building initiatives to enhance participants' proficiency in both drone technology and poultry management practices. Conducting bird trial/s incorporating drones in small-flock management practices.

Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals? The project aims to assess the feasibility of utilizing drones for small flock management, particularly focusing on poultry farms. By conducting thorough discussions with small flock owners and participants at events such as the Small Farm Expo, we aim to evaluate the potential benefits, challenges, and practicality of integrating drone technology into poultry rearing operations. Engagement with Flock Owners: Conducted in-depth discussions with small flock owners in Tennessee, including representatives from Lick Skillet Farm (Maggie Synders) and Kyle Rustic Farm (Susan Kyle). Gathered valuable insights into the specific needs, challenges, and preferences of small-scale poultry producers regarding flock management practices. Part 107 Training and Poultry Rearing Basics: Jason de Koff (co-PD of the project): Organized 3-day training workshop/webinar on Part 107 regulations which are essential for commercial drone operations. Webinar met on October, 20, 23, 24, of 2023. The webinar then followed the hands- on drone on other dates for participants. Participants were farmers, and graduate students: Farmers: Maggie Synders, Susan Kyle, and Cynthia Capers. Graduate student (Tennessee State University): Biswajit Biswas Pramir Maharjan: Provided participants with comprehensive information on poultry rearing basics, covering topics such as housing, feeding, health management, and biosecurity measures. Feasibility Study Discussions: Facilitated discussions among participants/farmers in Part 107 and at the Small Farm Expo regarding the potential applications of drones in small flock management. Explored various aspects including the use of drones for assessing pasture conditions and pasture rotations, and monitoring flock health, and potential impacts of drone usage on predation rate, and labor efficiency.

Publications

  • Type: Conference Papers and Presentations Status: Accepted Year Published: 2024 Citation: Biswas et al. 2024. Using drone technology to manage pasture rotation in a small flock free-range egg type breed. ARD Biennial Research Symposium.