93660 - GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR AGRICULTURE AND SMART SYSTEM FOR ANIMAL HOUSING

Anno Accademico 2020/2021

  • Docente: Daniele Torreggiani
  • Crediti formativi: 6
  • SSD: AGR/10
  • Lingua di insegnamento: Italiano
  • Moduli: Daniele Torreggiani (Modulo 1) Stefano Benni (Modulo 2)
  • Modalità didattica: Convenzionale - Lezioni in presenza (Modulo 1) Convenzionale - Lezioni in presenza (Modulo 2)
  • Campus: Bologna
  • Corso: Laurea Magistrale in Precise and sustainable agriculture (cod. 5705)

Conoscenze e abilità da conseguire

The students learn the main theoretical and practical fundamentals of Geographical Information Systems, in combination with Global Positioning Systems, for data collection, storage and management, multi-attribute data analysis and characterization of spatial variability, and presentation of results allowing farmers to make informed decisions that guarantee effective and efficient management of the farm optimizing the use of resources and inputs on a site-specific basis. The students also learn the fundamentals of the main ICT and smart systems and technologies used in Precision Livestock Farming and their integration with livestock structures and facilities, with particular reference to the monitoring of animal activity, behavior and welfare through wearable sensors and automatic analysis of images and sounds, qualitative and quantitative aspects of production, and environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, air quality). At the end of the course the students are able to manage data surveyed on field and remotely sensed data, to convert point data into spatial data, and to analyze geo-referenced information about environmental and crop characteristics through computerized mapping and spatial database management, in order to understand site-specific needs in the implementation of precision agriculture strategies. The students are also able to evaluate the most convenient Precision Livestock Farming solutions in relation to the specific context and livestock systems and structures, and to interpret the main data generated from PLF systems to improve the management and design of livestock structures and facilities.

Contenuti

MODULE – GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR AGRICULTURE - prof. Daniele Torreggiani

Introduction to geomatics for sustainable and precision agriculture:

• fundamentals of cartography and digital cartography;

• fundamentals of global satellite positioning systems (GNSS);

• planimetric / altimetric datum, coordinate reference systems, transformation between reference systems.

Theoretical and practical contents for the acquisition, management and processing of data in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) environment for sustainable and precision agriculture, with particular reference to:

• operating principles of GIS, types of data, online resources;

• loading, management and querying of vector and raster information layers and images;

• definition and transformation of reference systems;

• visualization of data and creation of thematic maps (categories and quantities);

• spatial editing (feature geometry);

• attribute editing (manual editing, automatic calculation of attributes and geometric attributes, combination of attributes);

• simple and multiple selection of features according to one or more attributes and position, integration between geometric data and tables (join), spatial join, summarizing;

• digitalization of vector geodatabases and extraction of features on aerial/satellite images;

• geoprocessing: clipping, merging, proximity analysis, overlay mapping, calculation and combination of bands and creation of indices in a raster environment;

• terrain analysis: elevation, slope, aspect (DEM/DTM);

• creation of GIS features from GNSS surveys (points, routes, field boundaries, etc.);

• import, display and spatialization of point data deriving from databases or from field measurements / surveys / sampling (methods applicable for data such as elevation, soil, crop status, yield, environmental data, etc.);

• spatial analysis and basics of geostatistics: interpolation, classification, characterization and mapping of spatial variability and determination of areas with different characteristics, hints on the use of the results as a basis for the identification of homogeneous areas to be subjected to differentiated management / the creation of prescription maps.

• multi-attribute and multi-criteria analysis and evaluations.

MODULE – SMART SYSTEM FOR ANIMAL HOUSING – ing. Stefano Benni

Introduction

  • The design of livestock structures and facilities;
  • Integration and relations between livestock structures and Precision Livestock Farming.

Smart dairy cattle housing design

  • Dimensional and distribution characteristics of the different functional areas of the farm buildings;
  • Resting area, milking area, feeding area;
  • Construction and technological characteristics;
  • Design solutions for animal welfare and optimization of environmental conditions;
  • Design solutions for the reduction of the environmental impact (waste management, emissions reduction);
  • Dairy cattle barns equipped with animal recognition and positioning / tracking and systems for the monitoring of animal behavior and welfare;
  • Smart livestock facilities for watering and feeding;
  • Data analysis in smart dairy cattle housing;
  • Structures and infrastructures for extensive farming;
  • Control systems for grazing cattle: GPS and virtual fencing.

Basics of smart swine and poultry housing design

  • Dimensional and distribution characteristics of the different functional areas of the farm buildings;
  • Construction and technological characteristics;
  • Design solutions for animal welfare and optimization of environmental conditions;
  • Design solutions for the reduction of the environmental impact.

Project work to be carried out in groups, consisting in the definition of a design scheme of a smart farm building of one of the aforementioned typologies.

Testi/Bibliografia

MODULE – GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR AGRICULTURE - prof. Daniele Torreggiani

Course lecture notes provided by the professor.

For further reading:

Introducing Geographic Information Systems with ArcGIS: A Workbook Approach to Learning GIS, Michael D. Kennedy, Wiley

ArcGIS documentation and tutorials https://desktop.arcgis.com/en/arcmap/latest/get-started/introduction/arcgis-tutorials.htm

QGIS tutorials (https://www.qgistutorials.com/en/, https://docs.qgis.org/testing/en/docs/training_manual/)

Geospatial Analysis - A Comprehensive Guide to Principles Techniques and Software Tools, M. J de Smith, M. F. Goodchild, P. A. Longley

GIS applications in agriculture, F. J. Pierce, D. Clay, CRC Press (Taylor and Francis Group)

Precision Agriculture Basics, D. Kent Shannon, David E. Clay, Newell R. Kitchen, doi:10.2134/precisionagbasics

MODULE – SMART SYSTEM FOR ANIMAL HOUSING – ing. Stefano Benni

Course lecture notes provided by the professor.

For further reading:

Andres Aland and Thomas Banhazi (Eds). Livestock housing, Modern management to ensure optimal health and welfare of farm animals, , Wageningen academic publishers, 2013.

Sustainable Dairy Production, Peter de Jong (Ed), Wiley

Tullo, E., Finzi, A., & Guarino, M. (2019). Review: Environmental impact of livestock farming and precision livestock farming as a mitigation strategy. Science of the Total Environment, 650, 2751-2760. doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.10.018

Metodi didattici

MODULE – GEOSPATIAL TECHNOLOGIES FOR AGRICULTURE - prof. Daniele Torreggiani

The module includes lectures which illustrate the theoretical and methodological aspects inherent to the illustrated systems and the introduction to the practical parts. The lectures are accompanied by interactive exercises and practical activities on the PC on the use of GIS software, and case studies and seminars with experts and professionals in the sector.

MODULE – SMART SYSTEM FOR ANIMAL HOUSING – ing. Stefano Benni

The lectures are accompanied by group exercises led by the teacher on the elaboration of a general project of a livestock building equipped with smart systems. Educational visits to farms and case studies and seminars with experts and professionals in the sector are also planned.

Please note: The theoretical and practical teaching activities of the first cycle of lessons a.y. 2020/21 will take place regularly in classroom for all the students compatibly with the health conditions and with the regulations in force relating to the COVID-19 emergency. Teaching activities and university laboratories will also be in any case guaranteed online.

Modalità di verifica e valutazione dell'apprendimento

The assessment takes place through an oral interview during which the theoretical and practical / application knowledge and skills of both modules are assessed. In particular:

- as regards module 1, the student will be asked a question on the theoretical parts and the practical skills will be verified both by carrying out some computer operations in the GIS environment starting from a project carried out by students during the course exercises and through the discussion of an application case presented by the teacher.

- As regards module 2, the student will be asked to present her/his project work and two questions will be asked on the module topics.

The student must reach a sufficient level of preparation in both teaching modules and the overall assessment is formulated taking into account jointly and in equal measure the level of knowledge and skills acquired by the student in relation to the two modules. Exam dates, times and locations are published on the degree course website and on AlmaEsami. To register for the exam, use the AlmaEsami web application.

Strumenti a supporto della didattica

PC and projector. GIS software. Computer room equipped with GIS software.

Orario di ricevimento

Consulta il sito web di Daniele Torreggiani

Consulta il sito web di Stefano Benni

SDGs

Sconfiggere la fame Istruzione di qualità Consumo e produzione responsabili Lotta contro il cambiamento climatico

L'insegnamento contribuisce al perseguimento degli Obiettivi di Sviluppo Sostenibile dell'Agenda 2030 dell'ONU.