A new tool is being developed to help graziers more accurately and efficiently measure the amount of feed available for their cattle. At the Boorowa Agricultural Research Station, scientists are testing a drone equipped with LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology. LiDAR uses laser pulses to create detailed three-dimensional maps of the landscape. After the drone completes its flight, researchers manually cut and weigh samples of the pasture to compare with the LiDAR data, ensuring the measurements are accurate. Dr. Yusuke Kikuchi, a digital agronomist at CSIRO, explains that knowing the exact amount of living pasture biomass is crucial for feeding livestock properly, avoiding overgrazing, and using paddocks more efficiently. Current methods for estimating pasture biomass vary, from satellite data using the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) to manual tools like the rising plate meter. However, satellite data can lose accuracy in dense vegetation, and manual methods are time-consuming and physically demanding. Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) identified a need for a method that combines the wide coverage of satellite data with the precision of manual measurements. Previously, Dr. Everard Edwards’ team adapted LiDAR technology for vineyards using a set of tools called RayCloudTools. Applying this technology to pasture is more complex because grass grows directly from the soil, making it challenging to distinguish plant material from the ground. To overcome these challenges, Kikuchi is collaborating with Tom Lowe, the scientist who originally developed RayCloudTools, to refine the technique. The team is also considering what specific biomass needs to be measured, as cattle typically graze down to about 5 centimeters above the ground. Additionally, Kikuchi is exploring the use of RGB (Red, Green, Blue) and multispectral cameras along with a radar sensor to assess the health and water content of the pasture, helping to distinguish living grass from dead material. Both a drone-mounted system and a ground vehicle-based scanner are being tested at the Boorowa Agricultural Research Station. The drone is expected to offer a more scalable solution for use on commercial farms. The next phase of testing will take place at CSIRO’s Lansdowne site near Townsville and Armidale site, where researchers will evaluate the tool's performance across different types of pasture. This project is part of a larger collaboration within CSIRO, incorporating scanning hardware from underground mining technology and radar expertise from CSIRO’s Technology and Mineral Resources research units. Livestock scientist Dr. Sabrina Greenwood is contributing her knowledge of animal science to the project. If the September checkpoint goes as planned, the team has another year to refine the method across Australia’s diverse pasture types. The ultimate goal is to provide graziers with a practical tool to manage their pastures more effectively.