Plantahof, Landquart (Switzerland), 15–17 June 2026
DIGI-Rangeland actively contributed to the Mountain Grassland and Livestock Joint Conference 2026, held at Plantahof in Landquart, Switzerland, from 15 to 17 June. The event brought together researchers, advisors, farmers, and stakeholders from across Europe to exchange knowledge, discuss innovations, and explore new perspectives for the future of mountain farming and livestock systems.
As a European network dedicated to promoting the adoption of digital technologies and innovations in rangeland livestock systems, DIGI-Rangeland was represented through several scientific contributions highlighting both stakeholder needs and emerging technological solutions for extensive livestock farming.
Understanding Stakeholder Needs for Digital Innovation
One of the key project contributions was presented during Theatre Session 9, where the project coordinator, Germain Tesnière (IDELE), delivered the presentation “Understanding the needs, obstacles, and expectations of farmers and advisors regarding digital innovation and technology for rangeland livestock systems across Europe (DIGI-Rangeland)”.
The presentation shared preliminary findings from a large-scale survey conducted between November 2025 and February 2026 across the project’s participating countries. Gathering more than 1,000 responses from farmers and advisors, the survey explored current digital technology use, perceived benefits, adoption barriers, and support needs.
Results revealed strong confidence in the potential of digital technologies to support livestock management in rangeland areas, particularly for animal tracking, grazing management, health monitoring, nutrition management, and predation prevention. However, adoption remains constrained by factors such as investment costs, limited connectivity, and insufficient digital infrastructure in rural areas. The findings provide valuable evidence to guide future innovation strategies and policy recommendations for the sector.
Scottish Stakeholder Priorities for Mountain Livestock Systems
DIGI-Rangeland was also represented in Poster Session 2 by Claire Morgan-Davies (SRUC) and Germain Tesnière (IDELE) with a session titled “Technological needs and challenges faced by Scottish stakeholders in mountain areas.”
The poster presented outcomes from participatory workshops organised in Scotland as part of the project’s stakeholder engagement activities. The workshops brought together farmers and advisors operating around the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park to identify key challenges affecting extensive sheep and cattle production systems.
Participants highlighted issues related to infrastructure costs, labour availability, data collection requirements, connectivity limitations, and conflicts between different land users. Additional challenges included communicating the wider environmental and societal benefits delivered by extensive livestock systems, such as biodiversity conservation, wildfire prevention, tourism value, and landscape management.
The work demonstrated the importance of aligning digital innovations with real stakeholder needs and identified promising technologies, including virtual fencing, farm management software, QR-code-based information systems, and tourism applications—that could help address these challenges.
Research on Precision Grazing and Animal Monitoring
The conference also featured research from DIGI-Rangeland partners exploring the application of digital tools for grazing management.
During session 9, SRUC presented a study examining the use of GPS collars to assess how the timing of post-partum upland grazing affects ewe home range behaviour. Using more than 92,000 GPS location records collected from Scottish Blackface ewes, the study demonstrated how precision livestock technologies can provide valuable insights into grazing patterns and pasture utilisation.
Preliminary findings suggested that earlier reintroduction of ewes and lambs to upland grazing areas encourages greater use of available pasture during peak grass growth periods, supporting more effective vegetation management in upland environments.
Advances in Virtual Fencing Research
Another contribution relevant to the project’s thematic focus was presented during Poster Session 2 by Lise Grøva (NIBIO), investigating the acute behavioural responses of ewes to virtual fencing cues.
The study evaluated sheep reactions to virtual fencing systems using GPS-enabled collars and behavioural monitoring tools. Results indicated that physiological responses to virtual fence cues were short-lived and that animals rapidly adapted to the system, showing increased appropriate responses over time. These findings contribute to the growing evidence base supporting virtual fencing as a promising management tool for extensive livestock systems.
Supporting Sustainable Mountain Farming Through Innovation
The conference provided an excellent opportunity for DIGI-Rangeland partners to engage with researchers and practitioners working at the intersection of mountain agriculture, grassland management, livestock production, and digital innovation.
By sharing research findings, stakeholder perspectives, and practical experiences from across Europe, DIGI-Rangeland continues to contribute to the development of innovative, farmer-centred solutions that enhance the sustainability, resilience, and competitiveness of rangeland livestock systems.
The project thanks the conference organisers for creating a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and looks forward to continuing collaboration with the mountain farming and grassland research community across Europe.
