102681Monitoring and prediction of pasture quality and productivity from satellitesClosedCollaborative R&DInnovate UKGrassland is the dominant land use in the UK and throughout the world. No other habitat is as agriculturally useful to humans, providing food for ruminants (e.g. cattle and sheep), as well as numerous other benefits (e.g. hosting diverse grass and plant species that attract bees). Grazed grass is one of the cheapest feeds on most British dairy farms, yet the most poorly utilised. This project executed by University of Reading and Rezatec Ltd provides grassland farmers with a management tool that uses the latest information gathered by satellite sensors, combined with mathematical models that calculate (grazed) grass crop behaviour. Together they allow for assessment and near-future prediction of grassland status, in terms of productivity, quality, and plant species composition. This will inform the farmer and advisors how to better manage their pastures, especially in terms of grazing and cutting, agrochemical application, and which pasture plant mixtures potentially deliver the greatest benefits to ecosystem services such as pollination. The project outcomes have the potential to significantly improve productivity and competitiveness for dairy farming businesses in the UK and beyond.