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Precision Pastoral Management Tools Project – Cattle & pasture performance data without the sweat!Marree Field Day 28 October 2014
Research Leader - Sally Leigo, NT DPIF
Beef Industry Analysis
Northern beef industry (2010)• In the last decade (1998-2008)
• Costs have escalated• Debt levels have doubled
• Returns on Assets have been only 0.3 - 2%
• By 2013, no further improvement
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Southern beef industry (2010)• Drought impact on profitability• To improve profitability ↑
efficiency by:• Higher productivity• Lower cost of production• Increase labour efficiency
In 2014 same message
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Profit Drivers
$==
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Profitability
Costs Production
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Ninti One Research
• 21st Century Project
developed a walk-over-
weighing & auto-drafting
unit
• Tested and developed on
cattle stations across the
NT & Qld
• Precision Pastoral P/L
tasked with
commercialisation.
Tools that are improving and assisting in beef business operations
Production increase is achieved through
Measurement
Measurement Comes at a Cost
Mustering
Processing
Data Handling
Animal Stress
Tools that are improving and assisting in beef business operations
Average Weight Vs. Rainfalls
Tools that are improving and assisting in beef business operations
• This data can be used for more effective marketing of your cattle
Sale Price: 390 c/kg
cwt Sale Price: 379 c/kg
cwt
Livestock Marketing
Date Price Weight Total26/03/2012 390c/kg 560 kg$1136
1/07/2012 379c/kg 635 kg$1251
Extra $115 realised through chasing weight rather than price.
Tools that are improving and assisting in beef business operations
Napperby Weaner Steers
Tools that are improving and assisting in beef business operations
• Effect of mustering
Case Study Labour unit comparison between Weaning and Auto-Weaning
Weaning Trap into holding paddock for 3 days Muster in to yards Draft off Weaners Truck Weaners 4-5 Labour Units
Auto-Weaning Truck Weaners 2 Labour Units
Tools that are improving and assisting in beef business operations
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Research Questions
• What new technologies can
assist the beef industry?
• Can we add technologies to the
RLMS to benefit producers?
• Can we build an integrated
decision-making tool?
• How much benefit is there for
beef producers in using this
tool?
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Benefits for beef producers
• Better matching of stocking rates to
available pasture
• Improved liveweight gain and calving rates
• Increased ability to make strategic
decisions
• Improved land condition
• Improved profitability
Progress to date
• Advisory committee appointed
• PPMS Prototype developed
• Business plan undertaken
• Student project
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Progress to date
• Expressions of
Interest (n=25)
• First three sites
selected
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Current Research Sites
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Research Methodology
• Quantitative and qualitative
methodology
• Validation of technology products
• Business analysis and economic
evaluation
• On-going feedback and
development of PPMS
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How are the research sites going?
• “Tarrina”, Qld, drought &
destocked
• Newcastle Waters Station, NT,
well above average wet season
• Glenflorrie Station, WA, average
to above-average summer
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The team behind the project
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For further information, please contact:
Sally Leigo
Email – [email protected]
Phone – 08 8951 8144
Questions?
Come along to the ARS Conference, Alice Springs 12 – 16 April 2015
Keep up to date via: Website, Twitter & Instagram @arsconf2015 and Facebook
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