8
1
Switch on.
The plate meter will beep and display the current formula setting. The formula
will be displayed next with the ‘+’ part of the equation first (default 500) and
then the ‘x’ part second (default 140).
2
The display will then show the kg DM/ha calculation based on that formula
and any readings stored in memory.
3
To clear the readings, press and hold the ‘Reset’ button until the display
shows ‘0.0’ There is one default plate equation, and one custom (user
editable) equation. The former is built into the chip and cannot be replaced or
modified. This equation is typically used between April and September in New
Zealand.
During start up, if the battery charge is low it will display “Lo”
and give two
beeps. It will still work OK for some time. However, it would be a good idea to
take a spare battery with you on the farm walk.
The original formulas developed for use with the plate meter were:
Dairy Pasture (Reasonably consistent rainfall areas height reading x 158 +
1000 = Cover (kg DM/ha).
Dairy Pasture (moderate rainfall periods height reading x 158 + 200 = Cover
(kg DM/ha).
Sheep pastures: height reading x 158 = Cover (kg DM/ha).
The plate meter also provides an option for selecting your own equation or those
recommended by consultants, such as Dairy NZ or Beef + Lamb New Zealand.
Your plate meter will be set up for the Dairy NZ recommended equation for the
autumn/winter months.
