Page 19 - 2024-SJ-Beef-Week

Stock Journal Beef Week | 2024
App adoption helps improve on-farm morale

By REBECCA NADGE was measured, but she
was now moving it to other
MPROVING animal areas of the business.
welfare, management The operation uses
Ipractices, and motivating about 17 different apps
staff were some of the or software, meaning
benefits highlighted in a integration and data
panel discussion about sharing are crucial.
adopting agtech on-farm. Mrs Herbert said the
The discussion was held 6000 head of feedlot
at a Farms of the Future cattle were weighed
forum at the Australian daily and using an
National Field Days. OptiWeigh allowed her
Australian Farmer of and staff to ensure the
the Year Tess Herbert, backgrounding cattle
Eugowra, NSW, producer were at the correct
Chris Hogendyk, Lower weight for feedlot entry. Australian Farmer of the Year Tess Herbert, producer Chris Hogendyk
Lewis Ponds, NSW, and She no longer had to pay and livestock trader Andrew Dowd. Picture by Rebecca Nadge
livestock trader Andrew someone to walk fences,
Dowd, Borenore, NSW, as any failures had an Mr Hogendyk said tech on-farm to do their
spoke about their app notification, and the it was the lack of research and be careful
experiences in using change in staff’s mindsets communications with subscription-based
different technology. was an unexpected benefit connectivity that drove programs.
Mrs Herbert, who runs of allowing tech to take him to investigate better The animal welfare side of
a mixed operation with care of some of the more agtech options. remote monitoring, through
a feedlot, cropping, and mundane work. “To run a business these programs such as FarmBot,
livestock, said labour “It’s changing their days, and from a safety was a huge benefit.
shortages were the main thinking - they’re not just perspective, we really need Being able to keep an
driver behind the move robotically going out and to have communications eye out for any water
into remote monitoring. doing the same thing. all the time,” he said. issues from anywhere in
Adoption started in their They’re using data to make He encouraged anyone the world gave great peace
feedlot, where everything decisions,” she said. looking at adopting of mind, he said.

Supreme MG exhibit, 1st Pair Females, 1st Breeder’s

EST 2001 Group, Part of Reserve Champion Interbreed Pair
Royal Adelaide Show 2023

Katrina and Steve Sanders www.ballyvaughanmurraygreys.com
Stud Open Day Friday 2nd February 2024 Ph. 0487 397 930 ~ Clare, SA
Inspections welcome anytime E. ballyvaughan1@hotmail.com VR4839436

19