Livestock Data for Decisions Community of Practice meeting

LiveGAPS team members Mario Herrero, Brendan Power and Jeda Palmer attended the Livestock Data for Decisions Community of Practice meeting at the historic Pollock Halls in Edinburgh from 20 to 22 June 2017. The Livestock Data for Decisions Community of Practice aims to enhance livestock decision making through improved data and analysis. The meeting was facilitated by the Supporting Evidence Based Interventions (SEBI) team based at the University of Edinburgh.

The Livestock Data for Decisions members meet to grow, adapt, and shape the community through sharing and discussing innovative ideas to address challenges associated with collecting and analysing livestock data. The community has a diverse range of knowledge and skills, provided by livestock practitioners, researchers, academics, and data modellers.

The community gained a greater understanding of livestock data innovations and challenges through a rich tapestry of presentations from Community of Practice members. Mario, Brendan and Jeda presented recent work from the LiveGAPS project and received feedback on the analytical needs of the community. Mario presented an overview of how the LiveGAPS project enhances the understanding of livestock yield gaps. Mario and Brendan demonstrated a variety of apps and portals through which to disseminate the LiveGAPS information. Mario and Jeda showcased the recently launched LiveGAPS website: one of the ways that the LiveGAPS team share livestock data and information with the wider community.

Community members including Tim Robinson (FAO), Andy Jarvis (CGIAR), Dolapo Enahoro (ILRI), Neil Gammon (GALVmed) and Isaac Olorunshola (University of Ilorin) presented on topics ranging from “Agricultural systems mapping” using modelling, to approaches for “Getting good data from the field (that doesn’t cost the earth)” for immunisation programs.

Community discussion topics in small working groups provided clarity around community knowledge exchange, the scope for demand studies, and the data platform vision.

The Community of Practice provides the opportunity to network, collaborate, share, and build relationships. This was facilitated by social outings, which included a Scottish dinner at Dalhousie Castle and a foray to the Royal Highland Show.

See below for some of the highlights of attending the Community of Practice meeting, for the LiveGAPS team.

Photo credits: SEBI and Jeda Palmer