SHEEP producers are being introduced to an innovative performance benchmarking tool at Hamilton’s Sheepvention today.

The tool aimed to help producers collect and store farm production data from key points in time such as joining, scanning, lambing, lamb marking, weaning and shearing.

This information will then be collated to produce reports that are commonly developed for farm analysis such as conception rates lambs weaned as percentage of ewes joined ewe mortality rates lamb growth rates

Veterinary consultant Andrew Whale with the Sheep Logic team at Site 46 in the Sheep Tech shed said they wanted producers to see where there might be opportunities for them to improve performance.

“And then they can go out and seek information in the areas that they have the biggest opportunity to improve.”

Dr Whale said he, like many producers probably spent time on things they were already good at.

“Some farmers probably do a  great job of getting lambs into ewes, but might fall down with growth rates.

“So we are just trying to get people to work hard on the areas that need improvement.”

The tool will be able to generate innovative reports such as:

– Ewe fertility index (lambs conceived per kg of ewe live weight)

– Kg lamb weaned per kg ewe joined

– Kg lamb weaned per Ha

– $ wool cut Vs kg lamb weaned

Benchmarking within ewe/system type

The majority of reports will be benchmarked against the average of other producers with ewes of a similar genetic base eg Merino, first cross or composite are compared separately as are age groups and the sire of the lamb.

Dr Whale said the tool would also display a figure for the highest 20 percent of producers and the lowest 20 percent, to give farmers better insight into how they stack up and what are the potential areas for improvement.

“We want this tool to drive improvement for all sheep producers.”

The tool will enable producers to compare their progress with each other and with their previous performance to track improvement.

Dr Whale said there were financial benchmarking tools, but not much for sheep production, and definitely nothing on a large scale.

“It’s fairly unique and can be used on an iphone, a smartphone, ipad or laptop,” he said.

Free trial available

Dr Whale said over the last 3-4 weeks we have been gauging interest of this tool and there is great enthusiasm.

“We are offering a free trial for the next 3 months, after this point it will be $150 for the first year and $300 + GST annually thereafter.

“This tool is available on line at www.sheeplogic.com.au

“It’s not app yet, but it will be by the end of the year.”