DAFWA Labour saving and flock management technologies

Summary

​Access to on-farm labour is a constraint to the growth of sheep enterprises in Western Australia. Investment into labour saving and flock management technology is one way of running more sheep per labour unit. However, many producers need information on how a new tool or system can be integrated into their farm businesses. We worked with a pilot group of producers to test a range of devices and systems and document their practical insights and experiences. Further, we employed an economist to do a benefit – cost analysis. Investment into technology was profitable in the majority of cases. This work will have ongoing benefit to industry as sheep producers seek ongoing practical and impartial information before investing in technology. Future investment into technology should focus on integration of information from multiple sources such as sensors into a single platform which can be used to improve decision making.