Smart Agriculture IoT Trials

Sixteen farms across North Wales have been given the chance to trial the latest digital technologies designed to tackle some of the challenges they face. The power of the Internet of Things (IoT) innovations and LoRaWAN (Long Range Wide Area Network) technologies will be central to the launch of this new exciting network for farmers. The Smart Agriculture IoT trials project is fully funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and is delivered by Mentera on behalf of Ambition North Wales through its Digital Programme.

Here are the detilas of the farms involved:

Thomas Bletcher, Fferm Argoed Hall, Yr Wyddgrug

Herd Health and Welfare: Housed Cattle Indoor Environment and Water

Dairy
300ha
450 cows
Rear their own replacements
Grow their own wheat and maize

Maintaining optimum herd health and welfare:

Monitor environmental conditions of housing sheds (temperature, humidity and CO2) to ensure a suitable and comfortable living space to optimise animal welfare.

Monitor water tank usage in the dairy herd sheds to ensure clean water is continuously supplied- if water usage reduces significantly/ stops, troughs may be fouled.

Temperature, Humidity and CO2 Sensors (SenseCAP S2103)
Outdoor Water Flow Sensors on troughs (Dragino SW3L-LB/LS)

Rhodri Jones, Brynllech, Gwynedd

Monitoring Water System: Supply Problem Detection

Hill farm
265ha
Beef and Sheep
Keep their own replacements

Improving protein self-sufficiency for the livestock through maximizing forage utilization (grasses, white and red clover covers)

Monitor the newly developed water system on-farm for early detection of issues and measure water efficiency and availability, including rainfall, to make informed management decisions.

Ultrasonic Distance Detection Sensors (Dragino DDS75-LB/LS)
8-in-1 LoRaWAN Weather Sensor (SenseCAP S2120)
Outdoor Water Flow Sensors (Dragino SW3L-LB-010)

David Williams, Fferm Clawdd Offa, Sir y Fflint

Soil and Weather Monitoring for Optimising Grass Production

Dairy Farm
150ha
260 Jersey X cows calving down
Once a day milking
Pasture based system

Soil and Weather Monitoring for Optimising Grass Production:

Weather sensor to monitor environmental conditions across the farm, identify patterns and correlations with soil moisture and health, and subsequently grassland production.

Measure soil conditions (temperature, moisture and EC) to make informed management decisions.

Soil Moisture, Temperature and EC Sensor
8-in-1 LoRaWAN Weather Sensor (SenseCAP S2120)

David Round, Cwr Du, Llanfairpwll

Orchard Soil Sensing for Efficient Fruit Production

70ac farm focussing on shift to diversification
Organic
Small flock of rare breed sheep
Main diversification focus: niche/high value fruit trees namely elderberry and sea buckthorn and direct-to-consumer products (beverages)
Small solar farm

Soil sensing in orchard for efficient fruit production.

Soil Moisture & EC Sensor Transmitter (Dragino SE0X-LB)
Soil pH Sensor (Dragino SPH01-LB)

Llyr Jones, Derwydd, Llanfihangel Glyn Myfyr

Poultry Shed Problem Detection: Water and Light

Poultry, Beef and Sheep
Free-range and Organic Layers
Supplying eggs to Tesco
Upland farm
500ha

Poultry shed problem detection: water and light:

Monitor light intensity in the hen sheds, sending a warning when it differs from optimum conditions, especially during times when staff are not present (overnight).

Monitor water availability and identify water supply issues promptly to ensure a continuous, clean water supply and prevent possible complications.

Wireless Light Intensity Sensor (SenseCAP S2102)
Ultrasonic Distance Detection Sensors (Dragino DDS75-LB/LS)
Outdoor Water Flow Sensors (Dragino SW3L-LB)

Rhodri Wyn Jones, Fronalchen, Gwynedd

Monitoring Water System: Supply Problem Detection

Beef and Sheep farm
120ha
Lowland and Upland farm
Calf rearing
Farm diversification- Fronalchen Campsite and Caravan Park

Monitoring on-farm water system:

Monitor the water system on-farm for early detection of issues and measure water availability, including rainfall, and accessibility in separate fields (water in tanks) to make informed management decisions.

Weather station to monitor environmental conditions across the farm, useful to set-up a trigger alert for a temperature threshold around freezing (manage freezing pipes).

Ultrasonic Distance Detection Sensors (Dragino DDS75-LB/LS)
8-in-1 LoRaWAN Weather Sensor (SenseCAP S2120)
Outdoor Water Flow Sensors (Dragino SW3L-LB-010)

Huw Roberts, Fferm Hafod Wen, Wrecsam

Operations Alert System and Farm Security

Lim X Suckler Cows
60ha farm
Self replacing heifers- keep their own replacements
Grow 40 acres of corn each year

Operations Alert System and Farm Security.

Monitor the feed mill and mixer to switch off once the storage bin is full.

Improve the farm security system with vehicle motion detectors on the drive/ yard. Remote monitoring with an alert system will give peace of mind when staff are away.

Microwave Radar Distance Sensor (Dragino MDS120-LB/LS)
Infrared Beam Break Motion Sensor

Phillip Hughes, Swyddfa Hendwr, Corwen

Smart Gate Monitoring for Livestock Safety

Beef and Sheep
>400ha spread over several parcels
80ha lowland, 80ha ffridd, 240ha hill
1000 breeding ewes split into two flocks
Rearing 280 beef calves on contract
Diversifications include camping site and an AD plant

Gateway open/close sensors: Trespassers cause regular problems on remote hill areas by leaving gates open

LoRaWAN 4G/ Solar Outdoor Gateway
Outdoor Door/ Gate Open Close Sensor (Dragino DS03A-LB/LS)

Dylan Hughes, Llanllibio Groes

Soil and Weather Monitoring for Optimising Grass Production

Beef and Sheep
240acres combined for beef and sheep
350acres winter grazing
400 breeding ewes plus 130 store calves

Lamb in December, February and March, finish lambs at home.

Soil and weather monitoring for optimising grass production.

Soil Moisture & EC Sensor Transmitter (Dragino SE0X-LB)
Soil pH Sensor (Dragino SPH01-LB)
8-in-1 LoRaWAN Weather Sensor (SenseCAP S2120)

James Gould, Meadow House, Wrecsam

Monitoring Water System: Supply Problem Detection

Sheep farming
Lowland farm
52 ha
110 head flock
Lower grazing fields- prone to flooding (as low as 10ft above sea level)
Fields subdivided into paddocks for rotational grazing

Monitor mains water supply to track usage, pressure, and detect potential leaks and supply issues when occurring (water flow meters, pressure meter).

Air Water Pressure Sensor (Dragino PS-LB)
Outdoor Water Flow Sensors (Dragino SW3L-LB-010)
Clamp-on Water Meter & Leak Detector

Sian a Llion Jones, Moelogan Fawr, Llanrwst

Monitoring Solar Water Pump System: Fault Detection and Usage Tracking

Took on the farm in 2018
150 Stabiliser cattle
800 Welsh ewes
Hill farm with substantially improved areas
330ha

Monitoring Solar Water Pump System: Fault Detection and Usage Tracking

Air/Water Pressure Sensor- Immersion Type (PS-LB/LS-I)
Outdoor Water Flow Sensors (Dragino SW3L-LB-010)
8-in-1 LoRaWAN Weather Sensor (SenseCAP S2120)
Ultrasonic Distance Detection Sensors (Dragino DDS75-LB)

Sion Roberts, Pennant, Powys

Enhancing Livestock Health and Productivity: Soil Health, Water, and Housing Management

Hill farm
325ha
Beef and Sheep
Calf rearing through to 12 months of age
Running both a Welsh hill flock and crossbred flock, selling fat lambs live
Farm diversification: Rural holiday cabins (Gwyliau Pennant Holidays)

Enhancing Livestock Health and Productivity:

Measure water availability and identify water supply issues if ever to occur.

Measure and monitor calf housing environment to optimise health and performance.

Measure soil conditions (temperature and moisture) to make informed management decisions.

Temperature, Humidity and CO2 Sensors (SenseCAP S2103)
Ultrasonic Distance Detection Sensors (Dragino DDS75-LB)
Soil Moisture & EC Sensor Transmitter (Dragino SE0X-LB)

Gareth Foulkes, Pentrefelin, Dinbych

Monitoring Rainfall, Soil health, Runoff and River Turbidity

Micro Dairy, Dairy Beef, Horticulture, Poultry, Honey
60ha
Lowland farm
Diversification: Farm shop selling home-grown and home-produced products

Identify patterns and correlations with rainfall, soil moisture, water runoff and sediment deposits and turbidity of the river at various points.

Water Quality/ Turbidity Sensor Converter (Dragino WQS-LB)
8-in-1 LoRaWAN Weather Sensor (SenseCAP S2120)
Soil pH Sensor (Dragino SPH01-LB)
Soil Moisture & EC Sensor Transmitter (Dragino SE0X-LB)
Air/Water Pressure Sensor- Immersion Type (Dragino PS-LB/LS-I)

Andrew Gresty, The Cloy, Wrecsam

Smart Monitoring of Electric Fencing for Immediate Fault Response and Repair

Lowland farm
75ha
Beef and sucklers
Hereford X

Smart Monitoring of Electric Fencing for Immediate Fault Response and Repair:

Monitor power supply along the areas of electric fencing across the farm to immediately identify faults and provide an alert for low voltage or potential issues. This will allow for prompt repairs, ensuring the fences remain effective, and saves time compared to manual checks.

Electric Fence Monitoring Sensors (FENCYBOY)

Aled Lloyd Owen, Tyn y Bryn, Abergele

Animal Health: Improving Sucker Herd Fertility

Sheep and suckler herd
56ha plus common land
200 Welsh ewes plus 100 cross-bred ewes and small BFL pedigree flock
12 Heifers suckler herd, with hired bull

Animal Health: Improving Sucker Herd Fertility:

Monitor heifer behaviour and bulling activity to establish whether the bull on hire is working.

LoRaWAN GPS/ Motion Tracker (MOKO LW001-BG PRO)

Huw Jones, Fferm Pen-lan, Clwyd

Farm Asset Tracking and Operations Alert System.

Sheep and Beef farm
Upland farm
354 ha
Grassland based system
Diversification- Christmas Trees and Holiday Lets

Enhancing Farm Security through Asset Tracking and Operations Alert Systems.

Improve the farm security system with open/close sensors and asset tracking sensors. Remote monitoring with an alert system will give peace of mind when staff are away from the farm.

LoRaWAN GPS/ Motion Tracker (MOKO LW001-BG PRO)
Electric Fence Monitoring Sensors (FENCYBOY)
Outdoor Door/ Gate Open Close Sensor (Dragino DS03A-LB/LS)