From 30 June to 2 July 2026, partners and stakeholders from across Europe gathered in Hvanneyri, Iceland, for the second DIGI-Rangeland Transnational Workshop (TNWS2). Hosted by the Agricultural University of Iceland (LBHI), the three-day event brought together researchers, farmers, technology providers, and project partners to exchange knowledge on the role of Digital and Technological Innovations (DTIs) in rangeland management.

The workshop combined presentations, interactive discussions, practical demonstrations, and farm visits, providing participants with a unique opportunity to explore Icelandic sheep farming systems and discover how digital tools can support sustainable livestock production in extensive grazing environments.

Day 1: Understanding Icelandic Rangelands and Sharing European Experiences

The workshop opened at the Hvanneyri campus with welcoming remarks from Ragnheiður Þórarinsdóttir, Rector of LBHI, alongside representatives from LBHI and IDELE. Following introductions and a project overview, participants were immersed in the unique context of Icelandic rangeland agriculture.

LBHI experts presented an overview of Iceland’s livestock systems, focusing on sheep production, natural grazing resources, and the management practices that have shaped Icelandic agriculture for generations. The presentations highlighted the importance of extensive summer grazing on natural pastures and the opportunities and challenges associated with managing these vast landscapes.

A key session explored the challenges of multiple land use and land sharing in rangelands. Participants also received an update on the DIGI-Rangeland stakeholder survey, providing valuable insights into farmers’ perceptions, needs, and expectations regarding digital technologies.

The afternoon was dedicated to country presentations, where project partners from Iceland, Norway, Scotland, Switzerland, France, Spain, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Romania, and Greece shared experiences from their respective regions. Discussions focused on:

• Current land uses and management systems.
• Key challenges facing rangeland farmers.
• Existing and emerging digital technologies.
• Opportunities for improving sustainability and productivity through innovation.

The day concluded with a presentation on evaluating digital tool adoption and an introduction to GróLind, Iceland’s long-term national vegetation and soil monitoring programme. This session provided essential context for the following day’s field visits by demonstrating how large-scale environmental monitoring contributes to sustainable rangeland management.

Day 2: Farm Visits and Technology Demonstrations in Borgarfjörður

The second day took participants into the field to experience Icelandic sheep farming first-hand. Before departure, LBHI introduced the study tour programme and the Norwegian company FindMy presented GPS-based livestock tracking solutions that would later be demonstrated on farms.

Hestur: Research, Monitoring and Precision Livestock Farming

The first stop was Hestur, LBHI’s research sheep farm located near Hvanneyri. Managing approximately 500 breeding ewes, Hestur serves as the DIGI-Rangeland Icelandic innovation hub and combines research activities with commercial-scale production.

Participants explored several digital technologies currently used in sheep management, including:

• Electronic Identification (EID) systems.
• Automated monitoring of live weight and feed intake.
• Semi-automated weighing systems using electronic ear tags.
• GPS tracking technologies for livestock monitoring.
• Drone applications for observing grazing animals.

The visit demonstrated how data collection can improve animal management while reducing labour requirements. Researchers also presented ongoing work on monitoring animal performance, body condition, and growth throughout the production cycle.

Hrísar: Young Farmers and the Future of Rangeland Management

The second visit took participants to Hrísar, a sheep farm recently taken over by a young farming couple committed to developing a future-oriented business.

Discussions focused on the practical realities of managing different types of rangelands and the challenges associated with extensive grazing systems. Participants explored topics such as:

• Grazing management across diverse landscapes.
• Animal management in remote grazing areas.
• Labour availability and changing demographics in rural communities.
• Opportunities for digital technologies to support future farm development.

The visit provided a valuable perspective on how the next generation of farmers views innovation and the role that digital tools can play in improving efficiency, decision-making, and sustainability.

Brekka: Sheep Gathering in Mountain Rangelands

The final farm visit was to Brekka, a sheep farm located in a more mountainous region where extensive summer grazing takes place on large natural pastures.

Managing around 400 breeding ewes, the farm faces significant challenges during the annual autumn sheep gathering period. Participants learned how GPS tracking and drone technologies can assist farmers in locating and collecting animals across difficult terrain.

Key topics included:

• Sheep management on communal mountain pastures.
• GPS-based animal tracking.
• Drone-assisted livestock gathering.
• The use of working dogs in extensive sheep systems.
• Practical experiences with electronic weighing and identification technologies.

The visit clearly illustrated how digital innovations can help overcome logistical challenges associated with extensive livestock systems in remote environments.

The day concluded with a dinner at Hraunsnef Farm Restaurant, where participants continued exchanging ideas while enjoying local Icelandic products, including lamb, beef and traditional dairy specialities.

Day 3: Collaborative Workshops and Future Actions

The final day focused on collaborative learning and future project activities.

Participants took part in a series of interactive workshops designed to encourage knowledge exchange across countries and stakeholder groups. Sessions included:

• Stakeholder presentations from different partner countries.
• Collaborative exercises addressing land-use challenges.
• Thematic discussion tables exploring common issues across European rangelands.
• Dissemination planning and communication activities.
• Feedback from project testing activities.

A visit to the Agricultural Museum in Hvanneyri also provided participants with historical context on Icelandic farming and rural development.

The workshop concluded with an evaluation session and discussions on the next steps for the DIGI-Rangeland project.

Digital Technologies Supporting Sustainable Rangelands

A recurring theme throughout the workshop was the growing potential of Digital and Technological Innovations (DTIs) to support sustainable rangeland management. The technologies presented during the workshop included:

• GPS tracking systems for livestock.
• Drone-based monitoring and animal location.
• Electronic identification (EID) systems.
• Automated weighing and performance monitoring.
• Satellite imagery and mapping tools.
• Vegetation and soil monitoring systems.
• Data-driven decision support tools for farmers and land managers.

By combining these technologies with local knowledge and practical experience, rangeland stakeholders can improve animal welfare, optimise grazing management, reduce labour demands, and support the long-term sustainability of rural communities.

Strengthening European Collaboration

TNWS2 demonstrated the value of bringing together farmers, researchers, advisors and technology providers from different countries to exchange experiences and learn from one another. The Icelandic case studies highlighted both the unique characteristics of northern rangeland systems and the common challenges shared across Europe.

The workshop reinforced the central objective of DIGI-Rangeland: supporting the adoption of practical digital solutions that help farmers and land managers make better decisions, improve sustainability, and ensure the long-term viability of Europe’s rangelands.

As the project continues, the knowledge gathered during the Iceland workshop will contribute to the development and dissemination of innovative approaches that can benefit rangeland communities across the partner countries.