Jenquip EC09, Handbook

Page: 12 / 19

10
Using your platemeter
Technique
Practice the technique of an uninterrupted slow walking pace, taking care not to
“roll” the meter. (This is where the plate is not square to the ground and it will
provide a false HIGH reading.
Lowering the platemeter consistently rather than rolling it will provide a more
accurate reading.
Farmwalk
The more regularly you take readings the better. Astute farmers will take readings
weekly, sometimes more often during critical times of the year and less frequently
during times of static conditions.
The more samples taken per paddock the less margin of error. We recommend 20
to 40 samples per paddock but if you have bad conditions i.e. pugged paddocks,
more samples should be taken.
Most paddocks will have areas of good growth and areas of poor growth. If
recently grazed, the pasture may be clumpy. Ensure that your walk includes
representative samples of both areas. Avoid tracks, stock camp sites and other
uncharacteristic areas.
Take samples every 3 paces or so, rather than choosing by eye the spot to sample.
This removes operator preference for long or short patches.
Be consistent. Plan the same walk every time, although it can be done in reverse.
This allows each walk to be compared with another.
Taking paddock readings (the pasture walk)
The platemeter displays the rolling average cover and this cannot be stored in the
device. Users need to either manually record or manually enter into the Jenquip
Android App if purchased separately, or other 3rd party mobile apps.
How to take paddock readings
1. Switch the counter on using the toggle switch at the back.
2. Reset by holding the ‘Reset’ button until the display changes to ‘0’. This
should be accompanied by two short beeps.