Does production data really help the bottom line for red meat producers?
There is a hint of a suspicion in some circles that taking the time to generate livestock and performance data is a distraction from the serious and practical business of growing meat.
Just how valid is that perspective?
Elynx general manager, Scott Ferguson, could be seen to be a little biased in this regard.
He manages a software company that provides solutions to many of the biggest beef producers in the country.
Nonetheless, he concedes that these people may have a point in some circumstances.
"We've all heard the horror stories," he said.
"People spend a fortune on a software system only to discover that the system is plagued by connectivity issues or discover that support is not available or even worse, that data generated is inaccurate.
"On the other hand, Livestock production data is 'gold' if it meets four criteria.
"It needs to be relevant, timely, accurate and the process to capture it must be easily integrated into operational workflows.
"At the end of the day, production data is only worthwhile if it assists stakeholders to make better decisions than they otherwise would."
The maxim 'you don't know what you can't measure' has a fair degree of validity for livestock producers.
The greatest success is achieved when producers understand the information they require and take the time to properly investigate the systems delivering solutions.
"Do your homework," Mr Ferguson said.
"If you need to maintain livestock traceability for LPA or NLIS purposes, go for a mobile system that interfaces easily with EID scanners and which can manage animals at both an individual and mob level.
"Any system you choose has to be able to build, and have accessible, an animal's lifetime history.
"Simply put, you need to know where an animal's been, the treatments it's received and how it's performing in terms of weight gains and against other animals in the cohort.
"A good system should allow you to identify under-performers and allow producers to forecast exit weights and dates.
"And, it must be simple to use."
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