Digitalization for Agroecology (D4AgEcol)

Harper Adams University coordinated their first DTSW on 13^th October 2023. This workshop focused on virtual fencing technology applied to grazing systems in the UK. 17 stakeholders participated in this workshop. 10 stakeholders attended the agroecology indicator evaluation section, while 7 stakeholders participated in the virtual fencing ADOPT tool assessment. A brief economic analysis based on HFH-MOLP modelling was presented to project participants. The main outcomes of the workshop have been that the virtual fencing technology may provide different benefits depending on the level of intensity of livestock grazing operations. For intensive grazing systems, virtual fencing is economically outperformed by conventional electric fencing, while in extensive grazing systems, virtual fencing is a promising tool to achieve agroecological farming with an ecology conservation focus.

The two agroecology elements on which the virtual fencing technology may have the highest impact are Diversity and Co-creation and sharing of knowledge. In terms of Diversity, the virtual fencing technology analysed may offer several benefits including: (i) an increased protection from livestock grazing for certain species such as ground nesting birds; (ii) an improved landscape connectivity due to the absence of physical barriers; and (iii) the possibility to integrate livestock with arable crop production so to promote the principles of regenerative agriculture. Among the potentially negative effects of the technology on diversity are several technical issues related to battery life and connectivity in vegetation-dense areas, which may partially or completely hinder the potentially positive diversity effects of this technology. In relation to the Co-creation and sharing of knowledge element, participants understand that the data generated by the virtual fencing system may be useful to analysis certain trends, but they criticised the complexity in visualising and making sense of such data. Some participants also criticised the fact that farmers can provide feedback to private companies but nothing more. This is interpreted as a limitation in farmers’ power to contribute to technology development.

As to the ADOPT tool assessment of virtual fencing, the predicted adoption rate for conservation graziers in the UK is 75%. The time to reach peak adoption was estimated at 11 years. Some of the most sensitive ADOPT tool questions are the scale of the enterprise, the short and long-term profit benefits, the environmental costs and benefits, risk exposure, and the ease and convenience of technology use. An important issue has been the recent update to the virtual fencing collar batteries. The new battery models undergo frequent technical malfunctions, which hampers farm operations and consequently the profitability of the technology. In terms of environmental costs and benefits, it was generally acknowledged that scientific evidence of environmental benefits as a result of virtual fencing adoption is currently lacking. More scientific evidence is required in terms of soil carbon sequestration and biodiversity benefits in farm systems using virtual fencing in the UK.

The Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture (LfL) conducted its DTSW on the 28^th November 2023. The workshop entitled as "Deploying Automated Robots in Sugar Beet Farming" took place at the LfL site. The focus was on exploring the potential of utilizing automated hoeing and sowing robots in sugar beet farming, particularly in Eastern Bavaria. The event attracted approximately 20 participants from diverse backgrounds, including sugar beet farmers, agricultural administration representatives, environmental conservationists, technology manufacturers, scholars from various scientific fields and members of agricultural associations.

The workshop commenced with a warm welcome to all attendees and an overview of the objectives by the organizers. Participants were introduced to the D4AgEcol project. The event then proceeded with presentations focusing on the use of field robots, notably highlighting the Farmdroid FD20, a subject later discussed in the ADOPT workshop part with potential users.

In Bavaria, where sugar beet cultivation is prevalent, the challenges confronting this industry, such as labor availability and pesticide reduction, were thoroughly examined. An intriguing outcome of the discussions was the divergent assessment of robot deployment in conventional versus organic farming methods. Participants acknowledged the nuanced considerations involved in integrating robotics within different agricultural practices, emphasizing the need for tailored approaches. Another parallel part of the DTSW delved into the impact of autonomous hoeing and sowing robotics on agroecology indicators. Participants engaged in lively discussions and provided insights into how such technological interventions could influence agricultural ecosystems and promote sustainable practices. The exchange of ideas facilitated a deeper understanding of the complex interplay between automation and ecological balance. The workshop generated significant interest among participants, fostering meaningful dialogues and exchanges of knowledge. It served as a platform to promote the principles of agroecology while exploring innovative solutions to contemporary agricultural challenges. Overall, the event was deemed a success, thanks to the active participation and collaborative spirit of all attendees. It underscored the importance of interdisciplinary cooperation in advancing agricultural technologies that are both efficient and environmentally sound.

A group of farmers, stakeholders and animal health experts discussed the potentials of animal health sensors for Agroecology on January, 18^th at the Research and Teaching Station for Animal Husbandry and Breeding in Groß Kreutz. After the thematic introduction and the presentation of the technology, the experts found that a rumen bolus can contribute to animal health benefits by the detection of i.e. infections at a very early stage, contribute to higher efficiency of milk production systems as well as having a positive impact on the working conditions. The automatic recording, evaluation and notification via the app enables the herd manager to organize his daily routine more flexibly, which was rated very positively. The presented bolus product by smaXtec can record and transmit temperature, acceleration and pH out of the cows’ rumen and can help to monitor the cows’ health. As a downside a potential recycling of the sensor after the use is not yet possible, which somewhat diminishes the benefits. The fear that work would become more and more distant from the animal was another negative potential impact expressed by the experts. The adoption analysis identified a significant adoption potential of the bolus, which very much is determined by the expected benefit. During a tour of the farm, the participants had the opportunity to get to know other innovative technologies that are used and evaluated in scientific experiments. There was plenty of opportunity for exchange and discussion, e.g. over lunch together. All in all, a very successful and fruitful day.

In September 2023 partners of the D4AgEcol project met together with the external expert advisory board (EEAB) and our project officer to review the state of the art of the project and agree on next steps to be done. Special emphasis was laid on the communication of the protocol for the Digital Tool Scoping Workshops, the platform for digital tools and technologies and the design of upcoming workshops for the policy roadmaps. Stefan Pfeiffer from our sister project PATH2Dea reported to the partners of D4AgEcol upcoming activities and opportunities for clustering. Finally, our EEAB and the project officer recognized the significant challenge and important mission of our project. They provided guidance on essential tasks and alluded to additional aspects that had not yet been addressed.

To be written here some highlights from the D4AgEcol participation in past conferences e.g. ECPA conference, GIATE Symposium, AGRITECHNICA 2023.

During the D4AgEcol session of the 6^th GIATE Symposium on Agri-Tech Economics for Sustainable Futures, Andreas Meyer-Aurich gave a keynote on the interaction of digitalisation and agroecology. He underscored the potentials while also addressing key bottlenecks that need to be overcome. Harper Adams University staff presented a first agroecological evaluation of autonomous mechanical weeding in the UK. A study titled “A multi-objective optimisation analysis of autonomous mechanical weeding in arable farming” was published in the 6^th GIATE Symposium proceedings. This analysis built on the adapted HFH-LP model developed in D4AgEcol.

AGRITECHNICA - On November 15^th, 2023, the D4AgEcol project actively participated in the session titled "Smart Agricultural Technology – exploring the contributions of digitalization to biodiversity: Opportunities and challenges of smart agricultural technology." During this session on the Green Productivity main stage, key contributors from the D4AgEcol project, namely Olivia Spykman from LfL (Bavarian State Research Center for Agriculture), Andreas Meyer-Aurich from ATB (Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy), and Ameli Kirse from LIB (Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change), delivered concise presentations and engaged in discussions regarding the impacts of digitalization on biodiversity. The session was coordinated by GIL (Society for Information Technology in Agriculture, Forestry, and the Food Industry) and moderated by Friederike Schwierz (ATB).