A screenshot from the ClassiMate goat visual assessment app.

TESTING of a new visual assessment app for goats is being expanded to involve interested breeder groups, breed societies and individual breeders.

The visual assessment app for goats enables breeders to make real-time assessments and observations on key features of individual animals

App developer, Angus Burnett-Smith, founder of ClassiMate Pty Ltd, has spent the past two years refining and developing the ClassiMate visual assessment app.

The app is in the final stages of development and Angus wants to work with interested breeder groups or breed societies to test the platform prior to its release.

He is also looking to work with industry bodies to build assessment criteria to suit their objectives.

Angus said visual assessment is an enormously critical process for livestock breeders which should not be underestimated.

“If carried out correctly, there is so much more to be gained from classification, not only in the making of breeding decisions, but also providing unique promotional platforms,” he said.

“There is no doubt that visual assessment alongside objective measurement data are key ingredients in improving the quality and productivity of your livestock, but how do you accurately accumulate meaningful data and then more importantly, how do you apply what you have collected towards implementing valid breeding decisions?”.

“The ClassiMate Visual Assessment app allows breeders to either Breeder Assess or assessors to Independently Classify their livestock through the use of a new app,” Angus said.

“It enables breeders to make real time assessments and observations on key features of individual animals.”

Angus said breeders or classifiers using the app can enter the observation in a ‘variation from ideal input screen’.

“For example, an animal’s feet might be slightly turned in, in which case this would be entered as a slight variation from the ‘ideal’ in the app.

“The app uses a robust algorithm that applies a weighted matrix against the inheritability and severity of the trait,” he said.

“It automatically generates an overall score in conjunction with a complete breakdown of the animal’s assessed features, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses.

“The breeder is then able to access a range of reports that provide previously unobtainable data on each animal individually or on a herd basis.”

Angus said the shareable graphic generated by the app, which highlighted the assessment information such as assessor/classifier, date, assessment criteria used, as well as a comprehensive breakdown of the animal’s attributes and performance, is invaluable from a promotional viewpoint.

“Other reports allow a user, for example, to compare the performance of individual sires or dams by identifying which animal produces the best feet structure, or meat characteristics.”

Any industry bodies or producers who are interested in contributing to the product through testing and refining the apps performance contact Angus via email:[email protected]

Source – MLA.