PDS Bollon and Chinchilla, Demonstrating the management benefits of using the National Livestock Identification Scheme

Summary

A Producer Demonstration Site project involving 22 beef businesses from Bollon and Chinchilla examined how NLIS technology could provide both management and financial benefits to their businesses. The technology was found to be able to collect accurate, objective data at speed to assist producers identify non-performers, meet market specifications, maintain auditable health records, link carcase feedback data, measure a paddock's production capability via cattle live weight gains, assist with production management decisions and save time. A co-operator from each of the producer groups trialled the use of a herd recording software package and later shared their experiences with other members as part of the information exchange in this PDS. Through a number of activities, participants learnt about equipment, software, key profit drivers and the importance of NLIS in the beef supply chain. The time saving and financial benefits from investing in necessary equipment increased with the scale of operation. Conversely the benefits did not outweigh the costs for small operators (~200 head). As a result, uptake of the technology by the Chinchilla group was minimal in comparison to the larger scale Bollon enterprises (~1500 head). It is recommended that producers assess their business objectives and identify key profit drivers so that only relevant livestock performance data is collected and the necessary NLIS equipment purchased.