Making decisions based on accurate data is the future of farming.
With the introduction of mandatory electronic identification (EID) of sheep across Australia, there’s a golden opportunity to do more than just tag your animals.
“The farmers that stay ahead will be the ones using these tags, not just to weigh, but collect data that optimises performance across the farm,” says Gallagher’s business development manager – animal performance and traceability, Mike Hemsley.”
Some of the ways having up-to-date, accurate data can improve farming operations include:
- Convenient access to animal information, as full data histories can be kept
- Tracking and optimising feeding habits
- Easily tracking genetics and birthing details to make more informed selling decisions
- Staying on top of animal health and welfare by tracking against weight goals
- Using this information to automatically draft to organise animals against multiple criteria, saving time in the yard.
With over 85 years of experience in the farming industry, Mr Hemsley said Gallagher is leading the way in animal performance and traceability, offering a full suite of animal management solutions.
“From easy-to-use tag readers to weigh scales and data management software that makes it easy to track animal performance, Gallagher supports farmers who want to maximise their profits and meet NLIS requirements.
“Gallagher’s range of Handheld Readers makes on-farm portable scanning easy, with their large LCD screens and ergonomic design. The tag readers sync with Gallagher’s Wireless Load Bars, as well as the user’s smartphone, to make tracking weights and recording traits as easy as the click of a button.
“Gallagher also offers a range of high-performance touch-screen weigh scales that can collect data and automatically draft animals. The best-selling TWR-5 Weigh Scale has an inbuilt EID tag reader and combines weighing and tag reading into one easy task. It also has the convenience of a full QWERTY keyboard to edit data and make notes in the yard.
“Being able to automate animal management tasks makes NLIS compliance simple and means that farmers save time and money lost on inaccurate data reporting. It takes the guesswork out of farming and makes it easier to make informed decisions.
“Tying it all together, farmers can use the Animal Performance Plus app to seamlessly manage and analyse data. Animal Performance Plus is packed full of in-depth animal performance insights, and syncs data from the yard to a farmers’ smartphone and office computer so that information and reports can be accessed and analysed from anywhere,” Mr Hemsley said.
“If you don’t measure, then you just don’t know what’s happening on farm,” says one customer, who had recently installed a TWR-5 Weigh Scale. “I can push the sync button on my mobile app and instantly see what our guys have been up to for the day…the app gives me a live weight gain graph instantly.”
Mr Hemsley said compulsory EID comes with the opportunity to use data collection and analysis on-farm to make more informed business decisions and make animal management and traceability simple.
