Technology in Pastoral Systems Field Day at Wyndham Stn
On a cool and windy September day, a total of 60 plus people gathered to have a close look at some of the helpful technological tools that they could use on their properties. The day started in the woolshed talking about how to tell the difference between a really valuable tool and just something new and shiny that is cool. A strong focus of the day was about developing a plan to make the most of new technologies and examining how they would fit into each producer’s management system. The answer to this question would be different for each individual and that there is no one right (or wrong) way to manage a pastoral business. In fact, it is much better for the whole community to embrace a diversity of methods, in line with a diversity of products they produce. The focus should be more on the outcome or implications of different methods, here the talk was around increasing profitability and/or production also improving the resource base (environment, people and money).
As chairman of the regional SAMRC committee Gus Whyte encouraged everyone to provide feedback on RD&A needs for the region and how that can be considered by research groups, extension providers and consultants.
After a wonderful smoko provided by the Pooncarie Outreach Centre School, we divided up into 5 smaller groups so that we could hear about each product/service and have time to ask questions to see if they would suit our respective needs.
(If you would like to know more on the issues, click on company names to bring up their website)
Group 1
Drones
Uses, mustering, water, fence monitoring
Group 2
Electronic ID
Hardware
Software
Data use, stock selection
Gallagher, Sapien, Sheepmatters, Leader Products
Group 3
Electric fences
Multi species fences
Group 4
Telemetry
Satellite based monitoring
Group 5
Planning & Record keeping
Mapping
Livestock records, chemical diary
After every group had been around to the 5 work stations (40min), then we all came together for Ash Sweeting to put some perspective on the uses of technology in a rangeland environment. Ash spoke of the importance of gathering relevant data, turning it into useful information, the payback however wouldn’t come until after you had made changes and acted on that information. Attendees were also asked as to what their R&D requirements might be and some of the benefits of working as groups to resolve issues.
Below are some key points out of the day:
- There is a range of tech for a range of purposes. Identify the areas of most potential gain in your business and look for tools to best address that.
- Getting involved in tech isn’t necessarily expensive or overly difficult and potential returns can be huge. Just an investment of $2,000, could save/make you 10 times that.
- There is the risk of being overwhelmed by available tech and the data produced from it, if tools are purchased without a clear goal in mind.
- When it comes to technology (and other issues) “it’s much easier to keep up, than catch up”. Lack of skills shouldn’t be a barrier with lots of training programs (and grants through Local Land Services) available.
- Forming groups to deal with issues is a very effective means of resolving problems, whether it be eliminating pests or R&D on sheep genetics for example.
The day finished up with a few refreshments and lots of talk about the opportunities that the day offered.
Thanks to Western Local Land Services, SAMRC and the Pooncarie Field Day Group for their generous support of the field day. Also a big thanks to all the companies that made a huge effort to come out here and show their goods and services off so well.
If anyone would like to run a field day similar, or have another idea, they should contact Jasmine Wells (LLSWestern) 0417 488 496
This day was made possible by the generous support of:
Western Local Land Services
Pooncarie Field Day Group
Southern Australia Meat Research Council (SAMRC)