Genetic Difference and RFID to drive sheep profitability = Smarter Farming
Genetic Difference and RFID to drive sheep profitability
The Sheep Co-operative Research Centre in Australia is studying all aspects of the sheep and wool industry. A major part of the Sheep CRC is the Information Nucleus flock. The Information Nucleous flock consists of approximately 5000 base ewes which are joined across several sites representing various climatic areas of Australia.
The intense level of measurement required to the Information Nucleous flock has only been able to happen due to the advances in RFID technology. Measurements that may have taken days for several technicians, can now be conducted in a matter of hours by single technician using RFID technology. RFID technology has resulted in major advances in efficiencies of measuring sheep. This has driven down the cost of measuring sheep and has been a major part of ensuring that the Information Nucleous flock will serve the Australian sheep industry well.
See this link for an example - Cost Comparison Visual tags versus RFID tags
The information gathered from Information Nucleus flock has also highlighted the large genetic differences between sheep. A combination of RFID technology and the knowledge of the large genetic variation within a flock can greatly improve the profitability of the sheep industry.
Recently, the Australian Merino Sire Evaluation Association partnered with Practical Systems to develop a system using Stockbook where information is similar to the Information Nucleus flock is gathered to assess merino sires in different environments.
Several of the Information Nucleus flock are also sire evvaluation sites and are now also utilising the Stockbook technology in combination with RFID technology to manage the information required to be collected from the Information Nucleus flocks .
SmarterFarming offers training in Stockbook, RFID technology, and we are also experienced in the measurement of sheep traits. If you are interested in improving the productivity of your sheep flock, please contact us at info@smarterfarming.com for more information
For more information on e-sheep (electronic sheep) management, please follow this link. Precision Sheep Management
SmarterFarming offers training in Stockbook, RFID technology, and we are also experienced in the measurement of sheep traits. If you are interested in rapidly and cheaply improving the productivity of your sheep flock, please contact us at info@smarterfarming.com for more information on when we'll be in your area to assess your enterprise and offer advice.
