An accurate and robust electronic rising plate pasture meter for measuring pasture cover in grass paddocks that is straight forward to use and simple to understand. The unique removable plate makes the electronic EC09 easy to transport, store and carry between paddocks.
- Integrated design – no loose mounts
- Protected potentiometer
- Less maintenance
- No bottom plastic to come loose
- Retained battery holder cannot fall out
- Counter can be retrofitted to any manual platemeter, or other type of platemeter
The EC09 automatically records each reading and displays values for number of samples taken, plus average pasture height and cover. Different pasture cover calculation formulas can be entered and selected, with the selected formula remaining in use until changed. All data and records are retained when the counter is switched off.
Pasture Management Software and a comprehensive instruction handbook are included with each EC09 electronic plate meter. The software is supplied on USB stick.
Example pasture cover formulas for entering into the EC09 can be found in the handbook.
Features
Accurate measurement— second only to cutting, drying and weighing pasture samples.
New Integrated counter case— protects the potentiometer, less to go wrong, less maintenance required.
Measurement range— 0-250mm of compressed pasture height (0-400mm with optional extended shaft)
Pasture Management Software— makes feed budgeting quick, easy and accurate.
Hand-calibrated— ensures readings taken by all platemeters are comparable.
Reliable— without changing reading accuracy, allowing new results to be compared old.
Repairable— high quality materials and accurate manufacturing ensure reliability and long service life.
The EC09 platemeter is supplied in two parts:
The plate — lightweight, robust disc that sits on top of the grass during measurement.
The handle.
Screw the plate onto the threaded boss, ensuring the labelled side of the plate is facing upwards and the meter is ready to use.
How to use the EC09 Platemeter
Prior to measuring grass cover, enter or select the required pasture cover calculation formula.
On entering a new paddock, zero the EC09 electronic counter. The platemeter is lowered vertically onto the grass, with the shaft dropping through to rest on the ground, leaving the plate supported by the grass.
The area and weight of the plate have been carefully calibrated for accuracy, and the taller and denser the grass, the further off the ground the plate rests. Grooves on the rod allow combined grass height and density to be measured in ½ centimetre intervals ( ‘clicks’).
The EC09 electronic counter will record the position of the plate relative to the ground in centimetres, instantly displaying the result in terms of grass height and calculated pasture cover.
Walk across the paddock, taking typically 30 to 50 sample readings. At the end of the paddock the EC09 electronic counter will display average height and pasture cover values which should be noted before moving on to the next paddock. It can also display the number of samples taken and average height.
Zero the EC09 electronic counter and repeat the process for each paddock being measured.
Example pasture cover equations for entering into the EC09 electronic counter can be found in the handbook. The pasture cover figures can be entered into the supplied Pasture Management Software to calculate available pasture dry matter.