FAP Pasture Tools & Calculators Update
Did you know MLA has a suite of feedbase tools and calculators that can help you manage your productivity?
| Publication date: | 11 July 2022 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Grain-fed Cattle, Grass-fed Cattle, Sheep, Goat, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | Southern Australia |
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Download Report
(1.3 MB)
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Summary
This project was undertaken to address the limited accessibility and obsolescence of six MLA (Excel spreadsheet and Adobe Flash) pasture tools and calculators. It was identified that the current state of these tools was not equipped to meet the modern expectations of an interactive user experience. Consequently, it was proposed that these tools should be redeveloped as mobile responsive, web-based applications that can work offline across any device. This was achieved by reverse-engineering the tools, extracting the key functionality and calculations involved and integrating them within an improved user interface.
Objectives
Update and improve the existing suite of online pasture management tools. Increase producer participation through the eLearning portal. Deliver a quantifiable method of improving end user uptake. Improve end user experience and operability of the tools and calculators. Enhance accuracy of calculations and participant analytics for spatial analysis. Provide a simple maintenance and updating system that allows cost effective management of the system over time.
Key findings
All objectives listed in this project were completed. Demographics based on user analytics show that the target audience has been exposed to and are currently engaging with the new tools.
Benefits to industry
Redevelopment has resulted in tools that are now easily accessible, user-friendly, maintainable, and more compliant with present standards and requirements. Red meat producers and advisors directly benefit by having these upgraded tools at their disposal.
MLA action
Initial user testing of the Feed Demand Calculator found the tool to be functional and consistent with the Excel version of the spreadsheet over the 18 months of development and testing. Unfortunately, in a final external test, it was found that some of the fundamental calculations contained within the original Excel tool were incorrect and had been for some time. This spreadsheet will need to be reviewed and updated in the future with the correct calculations. Once this is complete, the web version of the feed demand calculator will need to be updated and deployed. This work will occur outside the scope of this project.
Future research
Due to the success of this project there are now viable opportunities for development of other MLA tools and calculators that are approaching expiry.
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For more information Contact Project Manager: Georgia Goode |
